Drinking Until You Die: One Man’s Wake-Up Call from Stage 3 Liver Failure to Sobriety
When Aaron woke up in the hospital, he had no idea where he was or why he was there. The last thing he remembered was going to bed — but what followed was a brutal reality check. Stage 3 liver failure. Cirrhosis. His doctors weren’t sure he’d leave the hospital alive.
That was the beginning of Aaron’s sobriety story.
In a raw and deeply personal interview on Sobriety Uncensored, Aaron shares the harrowing truth of what drinking did to his life, his body, and his family. His story isn’t rare. It’s just rarely told this honestly.
🎧 Listen to Aaron’s full interview on Sobriety Uncensored – Watch below:
Ignoring the Signs Until It’s Almost Too Late
Aaron didn’t think of himself as someone with a drinking problem—at least not at first. But as the days blurred together in a fog of spiced rum, bar tabs, and hangover remedies, his health quietly deteriorated.
“You can’t feel your liver getting sick until it’s already dying.”
He had stopped drinking for a few weeks, trying to get past the vomiting and shakes, thinking the symptoms would ease. Instead, his stomach swelled. Confusion set in. He slipped into a coma.
That coma lasted four days. What followed was a month-long hospital stay and a diagnosis: cirrhosis and liver failure.
Key takeaway: Liver damage doesn’t scream. It whispers—until it doesn't.
When the Doctors Say You Might Not Leave Alive
Waking up in the hospital was just the beginning. What came next was a reality most people can’t imagine.
Aaron’s liver wasn’t filtering toxins. Ammonia was building up in his brain, leading to hepatic encephalopathy—disorientation, tremors, blackouts. He defecated, bled, and urinated on himself. His girlfriend thought he was already dead.
“The chaplain came in. They didn’t think I was going to leave that hospital.”
His situation was beyond the typical "rock bottom." It was a life-or-death warning shot.
Living on the Edge of a Liver Transplant
Cirrhosis is permanent. Aaron's liver isn’t healing—it’s holding on, just barely.
He’s now awaiting placement on a transplant list, a process filled with red tape and long waits. In most states, a patient must be six months sober to qualify. Every day, he inches closer to eligibility while balancing severe fatigue, fluid buildup, and constant hospital visits.
Here’s a look at what Aaron deals with daily:
| Symptom | Cause | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ascites (fluid buildup) | Liver can't filter properly | Infection risk, discomfort, repeated drainage |
| Hepatic encephalopathy | Toxin buildup in brain | Confusion, tremors, risk of coma |
| Muscle wasting | Malnutrition & liver failure | Weakness, mobility issues |
Key takeaway: Recovery isn’t just about quitting alcohol—it’s about surviving what comes after.
Parenting While Drinking—and Parenting Sober
Aaron raised his son alone from the time the boy was four years old. He thought he was hiding his drinking well. He wasn’t.
His son saw him pass out. He saw the mood swings. He noticed the missed moments, the absent stares, the night's dad didn’t wake up.
“Kids are smarter than you think. I thought I was hiding it. I wasn’t.”
Now 16, Aaron’s son knows just how serious things got. And Aaron is fighting to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Key takeaway: Alcohol doesn't just hurt you—it echoes through your kids.
The Club Scene: Fuel for the Fire
Aaron’s drinking escalated while working as a DJ in bars, strip clubs, and adult stores. Free booze was part of the culture. Staying buzzed meant fitting in.
“It’s all about keeping the party going. But I wasn’t partying—I was dying.”
This environment normalized excessive drinking and rewarded staying numb. When your job is to create a vibe, being sober can feel like a liability.
Key takeaway: Some industries thrive on dysfunction. That doesn’t mean you have to.
Losing His Brother, Losing Himself
Aaron’s spiral worsened after his older brother—his best friend—died of a fentanyl-laced overdose. Aaron found his brother's body in a hotel room after days of searching.
“It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It haunts my dreams.”
Grief and trauma pushed Aaron deeper into addiction. His family history was already soaked in alcohol. The loss broke something that took years to admit and begin healing.
Can You Heal a Damaged Liver?
There’s a lot of confusion around liver health. Here's the breakdown:
| Condition | Cause | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty Liver | Alcohol, diet, meds | Often, yes |
| Alcoholic Hepatitis | Inflammation from alcohol | Sometimes, with abstinence |
| Fibrosis | Early scarring | Partially |
| Cirrhosis | Advanced scarring | No—but manageable |
Aaron’s cirrhosis is past the point of reversal. But staying sober gives him a shot at more time—and a transplant.
“I thought I could stop and my liver would just bounce back. It didn’t.”
Key takeaway: You don’t have to drink half a gallon a day to do real, irreversible damage.
What Sobriety Looks Like Now
Forget the rainbows and enlightenment. For Aaron, sobriety is hard, physical work.
He can barely walk. He’s constantly cold, tired, and in pain. Every task—from showering to dressing—is an obstacle. But even with the exhaustion, there’s hope.
“I’m not experiencing great revelations. I’m just trying to stay alive.”
Key takeaway: Sobriety isn’t glamorous—but it’s the only way out.
Stop Before It’s Too Late
Aaron didn’t quit drinking because he hit rock bottom. He quit because rock bottom hit him.
Too often, we compare our habits to someone worse. I’m not that bad. I don’t drink in the mornings. I don’t pass out every night.
That comparison game is deadly.
“I thought I was fine. Until I wasn’t.”
Aaron’s Message: There Is Still Hope
Aaron is still waiting for his liver transplant. He’s not out of the woods. But he’s alive. He’s sober. He’s showing up for his son.
And he’s sharing his story in hopes it stops just one person from heading down the same path.
Ready for Your Reset from Alcohol?
If this story resonated, don’t wait for another rock bottom. Get help, get honest, and get moving.
👉Qutting Alcohol? 1:1 Sober Coaching: https://soberstrongcoaching.as.me/
👉More Sober Content: https://www.youtube.com/@Soberstrong
👉Be a guest on the Sobriety Uncensored Podcast: https://thesoberstrong.com/sobriety-uncensored-sober-strong
