This information sheet discusses the liver and its importance to the body. It describes how the liver acts as a filter for everything that an individual eats, drinks, or breathes in and how some things, such as alcohol, street drugs, and smoke, cause liver damage. It also explains that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause scarring to the liver and over a long period of time can cause the liver to not function properly. The information sheet provides tips to keep the liver healthy.