Which liver condition is characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue due to long-term alcohol damage?

Cirrhosis is a progressive liver condition that occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue due to long-term damage, commonly caused by chronic alcohol abuse. This scarring process disrupts the normal structure and function of the liver, leading to potential complications such as liver failure and portal hypertension. With cirrhosis, the liver's ability to perform essential functions—like detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile for digestion, and synthesizing proteins—is significantly impaired.

On the other hand, fatty liver, hepatic fibrosis, and liver adenoma do not describe the same severity or type of damage. Fatty liver, while related to alcohol consumption, primarily involves the accumulation of fat in liver cells rather than significant scarring. Hepatic fibrosis refers to the stage of scarring that can occur before cirrhosis develops, indicating that while damage is present, it has not yet reached the severe state of cirrhosis. Liver adenoma refers to a benign tumor of the liver and is unrelated to the scarring process associated with alcohol damage. Thus, cirrhosis accurately describes the condition of advanced liver damage characterized by extensive scarring and disruption of liver structure.