Without a doubt, anyone who has Hepatitis C or is a survivor of Hepatitis C should avoid drinking alcohol. There appears to be a relationship between alcohol consumption and Hepatitis C viral loads. In fact, a recent report indicated that the incidence of hepatitis C is seven times higher among alcoholics than in the general population.

Therefore, omit all alcohol.

The best thing you can do for your liver is to give up drinking alcohol completely. The next best thing is to reduce your intake.

If you can omit alcohol completely, here are some practical things that might help:

  • Don’t keep any alcohol at home to reduce any temptation.
  • Identify your triggers. These could be people, places or circumstances. Try to avoid them or develop a plan so that you are prepared and able to deal with the situation without alcohol.
  • Remind yourself regularly about why you are giving up alcohol and the benefits giving up will bring.
  • Try and keep your mind off alcohol by involving yourself in other things, particularly at times you associate with having a drink.
  • Get support. This could be from your family and friends, your doctor or a support group.

Belonging to a Hepatitis C support group can be one of your best bets as others there may be interested in stopping or cutting down with you.