Screening for Liver Disease in People Seeking Alcohol Treatment

This trial is testing whether screening for liver damage using a simple ultrasound-like test (called transient elastography) helps people who are being treated for alcohol use disorder maintain abstinence or reduce their drinking. Half of participants will receive the liver stiffness measurement along with blood work and educational materials about alcohol's effects on the liver, while the other half will receive blood work alone. The study will follow everyone for 6 months to see if the additional screening makes a difference in drinking outcomes.

People with alcohol use disorder are at high risk for liver disease, but many don't realize the damage happening in their bodies. This trial is testing whether showing people concrete evidence of liver stress through this screening test might motivate them to stay sober or drink less—and whether this approach is better than standard care alone.