The Liver Spot Communities | Support From the Patient's Perspective
The Liver Spot Communities | Support From the Patient's PerspectiveWhen facing the complexities of addiction-related medical conditions, the greatest breakthroughs often come not from a doctor's chart, but from a peer's experience.
The Liver Spot and the Post-Transplant Liver Spot are more than just meetings—they are powerful, thriving lifelines where individuals facing serious medical conditions related to substance use disorder (SUD) find unmatched peer support. We are dedicated to the simple and profound idea that the best guidance and deepest understanding often come from someone who has authentically walked the same path.
While the medical realities we discuss can be grim, the feeling of the community is anything but. This is a place for honest sharing, deep camaraderie, and finding practical hope built on shared, lived experience.
Endorsed by Medical Experts
The critical impact of The Liver Spot connection is recognized and relied upon by leading liver clinics here in the San Francisco Bay Area including UCSF, Stanford, Sutter Health CPMC, and UC Davis, with additional participation from Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, and the Mayo Clinic. People often join us directly from their hospital beds—and yes, pajamas are always welcome! It’s a very supportive and genuine space.
The Liver Spot has been a lifesaver for SO many of my patients!
I am so grateful to this community for their incredible support!
Courtney Sherman, MD | UCSF Health
Director of the UCSF HALT (Healing Alcohol-associated Liver disease Together) Clinic
Trusted by participants and leading medical experts, from both participants and medical professionals, The Liver Spot communities provide a vital connection to peers who don't just sympathize—they truly understand the journey. This is the critical, real-world support doctors recognize as essential for thriving in long-term recovery.
The Liver Spot Communities: Connection and Understanding
LifeRing offers two focused, online communities built entirely on a patient-to-patient model:
The Liver Spot | Open to All
The Liver Spot is the first of its kind. It was introduced on December 23, 2020, in response to a LifeRing Convenor asking, “Will someone please start a liver transplant meeting? I can’t understand a word they're talking about.” Built on the LifeRing "How Was Your Week" check-in format, The Liver Spot provides a safe space to openly share the unique challenges of managing recovery and complex health issues.
We’re an active and engaged community who join together to support our own recovery and the recovery of others. Many of our participants are referred by their physicians and treatment specialists.
Who It's For: People in recovery diagnosed with related medical conditions, as well as anyone else seeking a sobering perspective or a deeper understanding of this journey.
The Focus: This wildly popular meeting unites people at every stage of recovery to share vital insights and resources. This knowledge exchange empowers participants to better understand their medical issues and promote more informed and effective conversations with their health providers.
When We Meet: Online every Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM Pacific Time. Learn more and click to join: The Liver Spot meeting.
The Post-Transplant Liver Spot | Targeted Support
This groundbreaking meeting originated in partnership with UCSF Health’s HALT Clinic in January 2025. The Post-Transplant Liver Spot offers specialized support for liver recipients wanting to connect with others who understand the intricacies of life post-transplant.
Who It's For: Exclusively for liver post-transplant patients. This collaboration ensures those on the intensive post-operative journey have a dedicated, confidential peer community.
The Focus: This unique meeting offers a nurturing environment tailored specifically for navigating the emotional and medical complexities of the post-operative journey.
When We Meet: Online every Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM Pacific Time. Learn more and click to join: The Post-Transplant Liver Spot meeting.
Never Walk this Path Alone
Don't walk this path alone. Join the community where your health journey is understood from the inside out. Whether you're navigating the complex process of getting waitlisted or managing life years after a transplant, both branches of The Liver Spot are here to foster the resilience and community spirit you need to thrive.
For more information about these unique and powerful communities, please reach out to Sue Betts | [email protected]