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Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis in Your 30s: Karla’s Honest Story

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I talk with Karla about something most people don't want to think about: the real health consequences of “normal” drinking. Karla developed alcohol-related cirrhosis in her early 30s—while living what many would call a high-functioning, successful life.

She wasn’t the stereotype of someone at “rock bottom.” She was managing a misunderstood anxiety disorder, working, taking care of responsibilities, and quietly worrying about how much she was drinking. She even had a specialist tell her to use alcohol to calm a hand tremor—normalizing something that would nearly kill her.

We explore how her health declined quietly, with subtle signs she almost ignored (like checking her eyes for yellow). Karla also talks about the silence and shame surrounding alcohol-related liver disease, especially for women who are taught drinking is just “part of life.”

Most importantly, Karla shares what shifted when she finally got honest about what alcohol was doing to her body, and how that honesty changed everything.

If you’ve ever told yourself you’re “fine” while quietly worrying about your drinking, this is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About: