Liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis remains controversial at some transplantation centers. We compared resource utilization and outcome in alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation. From April 1990 to November 1994, 60 patients received orthotopic liver transplants for end-stage alcoholic liver disease, and 119 transplants were performed in 103 patients for non-alcoholic liver disease. No significant differences were noted in resource utilization of the variables examined. The outcome of liver transplantation (early graft function, frequency of sepsis, incidence of rejection, renal function, arterial hypertension...) was equivalent or better in alcoholic patients. Postoperative mortality was higher in non-alcoholic population (25.2% vs 16.7%). One-year and three year actuarial survival was not significantly different, but it was higher in the alcoholic group (77% vs 67% and 74% vs 64% respectively). The recurrence rate of alcohol in take has been 9.09%, with most patients drinking only socially. We conclude that liver transplantation for end-stage alcohol-related cirrhosis provides excellent results and resource utilization appears to be equivalent to that for patients undergoing transplantation for non-alcohol-related cirrhosis.