Final answer:
The first stage of alcoholic liver disease is steatosis, also known as fatty liver, where an abnormal accumulation of fats disrupts normal liver function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first stage of alcoholic liver disease is steatosis, which is also commonly referred to as fatty liver. This condition is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fats in the liver, significantly increasing its lipid content and disrupting normal liver function. Early stages of steatosis may be reversible with lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from alcohol and improving diet. If not addressed, it can progress to more serious forms of liver disease, including alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a late stage of liver disease marked by the formation of fibrous tissue and the replacement of dead liver cells, leading to the gradual loss of liver function.