This is when a portion of a healthy liver is taken from a living donor and transplanted into an individual who has liver failure, replacing their damaged organ and growing to a fully functioning liver. Many patients may already have chronic liver disease caused by factors such as  consuming an abundance of alcohol. Liver failure, the loss of liver function, is rare and kills approximately 50,000 adults in the US per year. An estimated 5.5million are thought to have cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver often caused by alcoholism, which can lead to liver failure.

• In a tragic turn of events, the music industry mourns the loss of former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell, who passed away at 56 due to acute liver failure caused by alcoholism.
• For instance, although chronic alcohol consumption doesn’t directly cause acute liver failure, it “decreases the threshold to develop drug-induced liver injury,” Lucero says.
• The battle against alcoholism is a complex interplay of medical, emotional, and societal challenges, reminding us all that treating this disease requires understanding, empathy, and concerted medical intervention.
• Throughout his life, Harwell battled with alcohol abuse, which ultimately took a toll on his health.
• Steve Harwell’s journey serves as a reminder of the highs and lows of fame, showcasing the human experience behind the glitz and glamor of the music industry.

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It breaks down nutrients and chemicals and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The representative noted that he was struggling with alcohol abuse throughout his life which led to the liver failure. TMZ reported on Sunday, September 3, that Steve Harwell, who had long been suffering from liver failure, was under hospice care in his home in Boise, Idaho surrounded by family members.

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• The challenge with acute liver failure patients, though, is that they “have to be able to agree to take lifelong immune suppression to prevent rejection of the organ,” Lucero explains.
• For example, Johns Hopkins University in Maryland says alcoholics need to be sober for at least six months before they can be considered for a liver transplant.
• Chronic and long-term alcohol use disorder can lead to liver diseases, including fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure.
• Steve Harwell’s music is often compared to Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and Guns N Roses.
• With chronic liver failure, patients usually have long-standing liver disease, Kushner says, which can be caused by long-term alcohol use, hepatitis viruses, autoimmune conditions and genetic conditions.

During his life, Harwell was a known alcoholic, frequently coming under fire from the media for his excessive drinking and alcohol abuse. Even though it is rumored he spent time in rehab, the addiction treatment did not help Harwell, and he continued to abuse alcohol. Steve Harwell’s struggles with addiction have taken a toll on both his career and personal life, leading to public incidents of substance abuse and erratic behavior. Despite setbacks, his resilience and determination to overcome his demons have inspired fans and peers alike, earning him respect and admiration.

Steve Harwell Dead At 56 From Liver Failure

“Liver failure does not necessarily have to be a death sentence,” Kushner says. As we reflect on his life and legacy, let it be a call to action, urging those grappling with alcoholism to seek professional help and reminding society of the importance of extending support and compassion. By openly discussing the consequences of alcoholism, we can shed light on the physical, emotional, and social toll it takes on individuals and their loved ones. Detoxification, a critical initial step, aids in cleansing the body of alcohol toxins, paving the way for a healthier recovery journey.

“You can still have actually a functioning liver that has a lot of scarring,” she says, but eventually the scarring will likely impact liver function and lead to liver failure. With chronic liver failure, patients usually have long-standing liver disease, Kushner says, which can be caused by long-term alcohol use, hepatitis viruses, autoimmune conditions and genetic conditions. People who have certain long-term medical issues, or who currently or previously consumed an excessive amount of alcohol are at higher risk for liver failure, Cleveland Clinic says. But with acute liver failure, liver function deteriorates much more quickly, usually over days or weeks, the Mayo Clinic says. Harwell later developed Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a sudden brain and memory disorder that’s caused by a lack of vitamin B1, which causes brain damage, the Cleveland Clinic explains. People with a history of alcohol use disorder are more likely to develop the condition.

Harwell’s legacy extends far beyond the confines of music, serving as a testament to the transformative power of resilience, recovery, and redemption. For those who require a whole liver transplant, there is also a shortage of organs — with most being reserved only for patients most in need. There is also the desire of fans and hangers-on to party with the famous person. Celebrities are often people-pleasers by nature and they may struggle to say no to moving the party to one more bar or to going out for another night, even when they know they shouldn’t. The pressures of fame, the lack of privacy, the demands of employers, and the expectations of fans.

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Steve Harwell’s will has not publicly been announced yet, but $2.5 million is no small amount to divvy up. Steve Harwell’s estate assumably contains cash, the rights to his music, as well as his home in Boise, where he died. While the terms of Steve Harwell’s will have yet to be disclosed, Harwell felt strongly about childhood leukemia, especially after his son died from it. With no other family members in the picture besides his ex-wife, with whom he had a rocky relationship, it is expected most of Steve Harwell’s estate will pass to his charity in his son’s name. The rep had warned that Harwell had “only a week or so to live” and that friends and family had gathered to visit him over the past few days.

TMZ reported that the singer had for years dealt with alcohol abuse and addiction issues. Steve Harwell’s journey in the music industry is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Born on January 9, 1967, in Santa Clara, California, Harwell discovered his love for music at an early age. His journey with Smash Mouth began in the mid-1990s when he joined forces with guitarist Greg Camp, bassist Paul De Lisle, and drummer Kevin Coleman to form the band. Both conditions can be caused by alcohol abuse, which damages the organ and leads it to replace healthy cells with scar tissue — impairing its function.

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People suffering from cardiomyopathy may present with boating of did steve harwell have a drinking problem the abdomen, dizziness, breathlessness, and rapid heartbeat. Excessive, long-term alcohol use is one of the contributing behaviors that can cause this condition. In 2013, the California-born singer was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a combination of diseases that affects the heart. He had also been suffering from Wernicke encephalopathy, which causes several painful symptoms such as difficulty walking, hypothermia, and confusion.

However, behind the scenes, Harwell’s battle with alcohol addiction intensified. On-stage incidents and erratic behavior began to raise concerns among fans and colleagues alike. Chronic liver failure on the other hand, is when the organ loses its ability to function over months to years due to damage compounded over time. If alcohol abuse is a recurring problem for you or someone you love, it may be time to contact a treatment provider. They can help answer your rehab-related questions and discuss available treatment options. While the official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, Smash Mouth’s manager Robert Hayes shared that the cause of Harwell’s death was liver failure, reported Daily Mail.

Although Steve didn’t perform much as a lead vocalist in his final years, his recordings were still popular, especially among those nostalgic for the 90s. Additionally, he had been dealing with heart failure, as well as Wernicke encephalopathy, an acute neurological condition that affects the nervous system, according to the National Library of Medicine. Steve Harwell’s passion for music began at a young age, leading him to join local bands and hone his skills as a vocalist. His breakthrough came when he co-founded Smash Mouth in 1994, with the band’s debut album, “Fush Yu Mang,” and hit single, “Walkin’ on the Sun,” propelling them to international fame. Through his advocacy efforts, Harwell sought to destigmatize addiction and promote a culture of compassion and understanding. By sharing his story with candor and vulnerability, he encouraged others to embrace vulnerability and seek help without shame or judgment.

It was a heroin overdose on October 4, 1970, that ultimately took her from this world. Harwell also dabbled in acting and television, appearing on VH1’s sixth season of The Surreal Life and having a cameo (along with the rest of the band) in the 2001 film Rat Race. It wasn’t until 2001 though, with the release of the first Shrek film, when their hits “All Star” and “I’m a Believer” were featured on the film’s soundtrack that the band achieved mainstream success.

It occurs when, all of a sudden, the liver just stops working in somebody who has no known liver condition, Lucero says. Best known for the 1999 hit “All Star,” Harwell’s “iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation. He loved the fans and loved to perform,” the statement said. Harwell’s journey serves as a reminder of the urgent need to destigmatize alcoholism and promote open conversations about addiction. This proactive approach can lead to healthier relationships with alcohol and prevent the progression of addiction. In this controlled environment, individuals can receive appropriate care and support, maximizing their chances of a successful and safe transition toward sobriety.

Celebrity alcohol addiction, like any other alcohol use disorder, places tremendous strain on the liver. Harwell entered hospice care on Sunday and died on Monday, surrounded by his fiancée, friends, and family in his Boise, Idaho home. Further adding, “As of today, Steve will be retiring from Smash Mouth to focus on his physical and mental health.” In 2016, the rockstar collapsed on stage during a concert performance and had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. His condition worsened and he was shifted to hospice care before his death on Monday.