Peripheral Neuropathy: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
Our treatment plans are personalized for each patient, targeting both the symptoms and the root cause of nerve damage whenever https://www.lab-grown-diamond-ring.com/2022/04/08/how-long-to-avoid-alcohol-before-after-botox/ possible. Some treatments can greatly reduce or even stop symptoms, but this varies. Your healthcare provider is the best source of information on the outlook for your case and what you can do to help. Motor and sensory symptoms can also greatly disrupt your ability to work and go about your daily activities. They can cause problems — sometimes severe — with mobility, balance and coordination. Sensory symptoms are also disruptive, especially when they involve pain or affect your ability to control what you do with the affected body part(s).
Alcohol Neuropathy Stages: Progression of the Condition

To improve your quality of life, several treatment options, such as pain relievers, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, will be required. Keep in mind that recovery can be a slow process, taking weeks to months, depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. Patience and consistency in adhering to the prescribed treatment are crucial for a successful recovery. If you or someone you care about is struggling with the effects of alcoholic neuropathy, remember that you do not have to face these difficulties alone. You can seek guidance from trained experts and trusted resources that understand your situation, such as Sabino Recovery. By reaching out for help, you can start taking the necessary steps towards recovery and improved quality of life.
Avoiding alcohol and improvement in the diet can sometimes help in obtaining a moderate to full recovery. Individual health and lifestyle factors also play a critical role in the recovery from alcoholic neuropathy. A person’s metabolic rate, nutritional status, and adherence to treatment can all affect the pace of recovery.
- This is also something that can have a long-term psychological impact.
- Most patients diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy are aged years.
- Symptoms of alcohol-related neuropathy are similar to those of peripheral neuropathy.
- Outside of work, she’s a devotee of Krishna, and her friends call her Karunya Shakti, which means compassionate energy.
Alcohol Fatigue Syndrome: Why You’re So Tired After Quitting Drinking (and How Rehab Helps)
These physical symptoms, combined with the psychological impact of chronic pain and mobility issues, can lead to depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal, further diminishing life quality. The illustration depicts the damaging effects of alcoholic neuropathy on the nervous system. This condition, caused by excessive alcohol consumption, affects the nerves, potentially impacting up to 66% of individuals with chronic alcohol use disorder. While the exact number of those affected remains unclear, studies reveal a significant prevalence. The illustration visualizes the multifactorial causes, highlighting both the nutritional deficiencies triggered by alcohol abuse and the direct toxic effects of its metabolism on nerve cells.
Treatment Options for Alcoholic Neuropathy
- Research suggests that roughly 40–50% of people with chronic alcohol abuse develop alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy, meaning this complication is common rather than rare.
- Alcoholic neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy caused by alcohol-related nerve damage.
- These changes include maintaining a balanced diet rich in nutrients, engaging in regular exercise to improve overall physical health, and abstaining from alcohol to prevent further nerve damage.
- Although there isn’t a single FDA approved treatment method, doctors will focus first on treating the pain and discomfort.
- Many patients struggle with nighttime symptoms that can cause insomnia and impact daytime activities because of disrupted sleep.
You may suspect you have peripheral neuropathy based on the symptoms you experience, but you should see a healthcare provider to be sure. Pain from peripheral neuropathy is usually the most disruptive symptom, but medications or other treatments may help. Autonomic symptoms are among the most serious because they involve your body’s vital functions. When those don’t work correctly, it can have very severe — and sometimes dangerous — effects.

Emotional and Social Support
She participated in research studying ADHD in children, mindfulness and anxiety, and embodied cognition. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she continued her education at the University of Denver and earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling with a side specialization in addiction. During grad school, she treated clients involved in the legal system as well as at a detox facility.
Is Neuropathy a Condition That Can Be Reversed?
How long it lasts depends on what caused it, the extent of the damage — if any — that it caused, the treatments and more. Your contribution helps us support research and provide an improved quality of life for those affected. At Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists in Arlington, Virginia, our providers specialize in diagnosing and treating alcohol-related neuropathy. Take a moment to learn more about the connection between alcohol and neuropathy and how we help manage your condition.
Some may experience only one symptom, while others experience several. Deficiencies in these nutrients can harm overall health and prevent nerves from functioning correctly. It is important to note that the severity of these symptoms may vary from person to person and can be difficult to manage, which is why seeking professional help is crucial. Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms. Remember that recovery is possible, and plenty of support is available.
What is alcoholic neuropathy and how does alcohol cause nerve pain?
Keep moving forward, one day at a time, and appreciate the hard work you put in along the way. The goal is to confirm nerve damage, rule out other treatable causes, and identify how much alcohol use is contributing. Once alcohol use has been addressed, a doctor can focus on treating alcohol-related neuropathy itself. Treatment will depend on the type, location, and severity of your symptoms. Many support systems and professional services are available in person or online to help you on your journey.
Research suggests that roughly 40–50% of people with chronic alcohol abuse develop alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy, meaning this complication is common rather than rare. Yes, long-term excessive alcohol consumption may lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause pain in your feet. However, nerve damage is sometimes permanent, and your symptoms are likely to worsen if you don’t stop drinking. This could lead to disability, chronic pain, and damage to your arms and legs. If you’ve ever felt tingling, burning, or numbness in your feet or hands that marijuana addiction just won’t go away, you might be dealing with peripheral neuropathy. This condition affects millions of Americans and can range from mildly irritating to completely life-altering.
Addiction impacted her own family and influenced her compassionate and empathetic relationship with clients. She believes in healing the whole person in a safe and supportive environment. Jill enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, friends, and pets when she is not in the office.

How Is the Prognosis of Alcoholic Neuropathy?
Symptoms may include numbness and tingling in the limbs, muscle weakness, and loss of mobility. A doctor may diagnose a person with alcoholic neuropathy, if alcohol use has damaged the peripheral nerves. People who drink heavily on a regular basis are alcohol neuropathy stages at risk of developing this condition.