Unhealthy alcohol use, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and liver transplants for ALD are rising worldwide; the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has only exacerbated the trends. ALD already accounts for over 40% of all liver-related deaths globally, and models project ALD-related mortality to double by 2040. The optimal care of liver transplant candidates/recipients with ALD requires an integrated community of medical, surgical, and substance use providers. However, strategies for implementing best practices often vary depending on local and national health policies. The diverse international membership of ILTS is therefore well-positioned to lead efforts toward addressing this significant public health issue.

The mission of the new Alcohol and Substance Use Topics in Liver Transplantation SIG will be to advance the care of liver transplant candidates/recipients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and ALD through education and research.

The SIG’s aims will include:

1. To provide a forum for sharing and broadening knowledge of disease pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of AUD and ALD before, during, and after a liver transplant

2. To educate learners across the novice-to-expert spectrum via webinars, social media, single topic symposia, and annual meetings

3. To foster collaborations in basic, translational, and clinical research of AUD and ALD in liver transplant candidates/recipients

4. To increase ILTS membership by attracting non-liver specialists (e.g., psychiatrists, addiction counselors, social workers) interested in multidisciplinary collaboration within the broad domain of substance use disorders in patients with liver disease

5. To create networking opportunities among the international community of experts