That’s why it can be tempting to dismiss slightly abnormal liver blood tests – or assume that feeling well means your liver must be healthy. Don’t assume alcohol is the only culprit Alcohol can certainly contribute to liver disease, but you can develop fatty liver without being a heavy drinker. That’s particularly important because the term “fatty liver” can make people assume the condition is simply an alcohol problem. The Liver Foundation warns that fatty liver can progress to significant liver damage without obvious symptoms. What we do know is that fatty liver is extremely common: the Australian Liver Foundation estimates about one in three Australian adults has the condition.