Integrating Care for Patients With Alcohol Liver Disease and Alcohol Use Disorders

Alcohol related liver disease (ALD) contributes to 50% cases of cirrhosis worldwide and is the leading indication for liver transplant in North America. The treatment for ALD is achieving total alcohol abstinence and preventing relapse as medical and surgical options are limited when drinking continues. Patient care has been hindered by the isolation of Addiction Medical Services from Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Hepatology. Patients with ALD would benefit from multidisciplinary approach as it combines medical care of liver disease and management of addiction and mental health. The investigators aim to develop a patient-centered integrated care pathway supported by expertise from Hepatology, Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry to improve access to addiction services for patients with ALD. By participating in the services, patients will experience decreased substance use, psychological symptoms, and improved health-related quality of life, with greater patient and provider satisfaction.