Alcoholic Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Patients present with pain, ataxia, and paresthesias in the lower extremities. This activity describes the evaluation and management of alcoholic neuropathy and reviews the role of the interprofessional team in improving care for patients with this condition. FMRI studies have allowed us to identify the effects of alcohol use and dependence on brain function as well as vulnerability to heavy use. Typically, exposure to alcohol sensitizes the reward system to alcohol related cues, interferes with the processing of non-drug reward, increases impulsivity, and disrupts emotional regulation. However, the findings discussed here also highlight the variability of individual differences in the presence and magnitude of such neurocognitive deficits which may be driven by exposure, trait factors or abstinence. Finally, an important caveat to much of the present evidence is the generalizability of small cohort cross-sectional studies.

Alcohol Neuropathy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Outlook

Reach out to us at to speak to an admissions navigator to learn more about treatment, admissions, and how to take your first steps toward recovery. We Drug rehabilitation do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. Lauren Smith has worked as a journalist and copywriter for the last decade, covering a range of topics including health, energy, and technology in the US and UK. In a 2019 study, researchers showed that quitting alcohol had a positive effect on most people’s mental well-being. Fetal alcohol syndrome can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth.

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Integrated treatment ensures that both addiction and mental health issues are addressed simultaneously. At our Drug Detox Center, clients receive medical supervision to safely manage withdrawal symptoms. This phase is critical for stabilizing physical health and preparing for further treatment. PET studies investigating the serotonin system in alcohol dependence are very limited in number, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and so a consensus opinion on their importance has not been reached. Studies have focused on the serotonin transporter (SERT) using 11C DASB, revealing mixed results with some 148,149 reporting increased levels of SERT whereas others have found no difference or reduced levels of SERT 150.

How Alcohol Impairs the Brain’s Ability to Adapt and Learn

Our compassionate staff is available 24/7 and may be able to help answer your questions about alcohol addiction and related health alcoholic nerve damage issues, help you locate suitable rehab centers, and help you to verify your insurance coverage. Some of the most common symptoms are numbness or tingling sensation of the extremities, pain or a burning sensation in the extremities, difficulty walking, difficulty urinating, and difficulty talking or swallowing. In a 2019 article, researchers explain that breaking down alcohol in the body produces a chemical that damages axons.

• Many individuals with alcoholic neuropathy experience chronic pain, which can range from mild to severe.
• Recognizing the signs of ARBD early can lead to timely intervention and a better prognosis.
• About 46% of chronic alcohol users will eventually develop this condition.
• Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the damage and the areas of the brain affected.
• They may notice a weakness in their hands or that they have lost some of their coordination.

The metabolism of alcohol itself can also lead directly to neurotoxicity as the metabolite acetaldehyde is toxic and can lead to neurodegeneration. Finally, alcohol can lead to neurotoxicity via the induction of both the central and peripheral immune system, causing damaging levels of inflammation. However, there can be comfort taken in the fact that many cases of alcoholic neuropathy may be successfully reversed if proper treatment is performed.

Thiamine pyrophosphokinase is inhibited by alcohol, which also increases the rate of thiamine metabolism 63. This phosphorylation step requires magnesium as a cofactor, which is also depleted in alcoholism 70. Cumulatively, alcoholism leads to thiamine deficiency via the reduction of intake, uptake, and utilization. It’s important to realize that, whatever the primary cause of neuropathy, drinking alcohol contributes to the condition and makes it worse. Also, it is important that people do not use other conditions as an excuse to keep drinking.

• Abstaining from alcohol can help restore your nutritional health, improve your symptoms, and prevent further nerve damage.
• If you have difficulty controlling how often or how much alcohol you drink, schedule a screening for alcohol addiction with your doctor or a mental health provider.
• If the sensation is decreased enough, you may feel actual numbness after drinking alcohol.
• If you have a diagnosis of alcoholic neuropathy, abstinence from alcohol is the primary treatment to restore nerve function.

Many individuals with alcoholic neuropathy experience chronic pain, which can range from mild to severe. It can occur in various body parts, including the legs, arms, and back. The severity of alcoholic neuropathy can vary from person to person, and it is important for individuals who experience these symptoms to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. To better understand the neurological effects of alcohol, it helps to explore some of the more well-known pathologies, disorders, and diseases. The following sections provide a brief overview of several neurologic conditions related to alcohol consumption.

What are treatments for alcoholic neuropathy?

Alcoholic neuropathy does improve with abstinence from alcohol and appropriate medical treatment. Alcoholic neuropathy presents a complex challenge in terms of treatment and recovery, with the extent of nerve damage and the timing of intervention playing crucial roles in determining the outcome. Although a complete cure is not always feasible, certain measures significantly enhance the prospects of recovery and improve quality of life.

So, before you have another drink, you may want to learn a bit more about this disease first. Studies show that 25-66% of chronic alcohol users have neuropathy.2  This research indicates that alcohol misuse is a significant risk factor for developing nerve damage, including alcoholic polyneuropathy. Pre-existing liver disease, such as alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, can exacerbate nerve damage caused by alcohol. Additionally, individuals with diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or certain metabolic disorders may be at an increased risk of developing alcoholic neuropathy. Long-term heavy alcohol use, particularly when accompanied by nutritional deficiencies, can damage the body’s nerves, leading to a host of painful and debilitating symptoms.

It is essential to recognize the harmful role of alcohol in nerve damage and to promote responsible drinking to prevent these adverse effects. The most critical step in managing alcoholic neuropathy is the complete cessation of alcohol consumption. Continued alcohol use exacerbates nerve damage and negates the benefits of other treatments.