Learn more about this condition, including its symptoms, how it’s treated, and ways to cope.
Decreased Sensation
Alcoholic neuropathy damagessensory nerves.This results in decreased sensation in the hands and feet.
If the sensation is decreased enough, you may feel actual numbness after drinking alcohol.
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Constant pain in the hands or feet is one of the most bothersome aspects of alcoholic neuropathy.
The pain can feel like burning, throbbing, or sharp pins and needles.
As the condition progresses, the pain may vary in intensity, sometimes diminishing for months before worsening again.
When this message is interrupted due to damaged nerves, the muscles cannot function as they normally would.
This most often manifests with weakness of the hands and feet.
Alcoholic neuropathy can weaken the autonomic nerves,causing impairment of bowel and bladder function, and sexual dysfunction.
Some people experience a faster onset and progression of alcoholic neuropathy than others.
It’s not completely clear why some people are more prone to this complication than others.
Alcoholic neuropathy is caused bynutritional deficiency, as well as toxins that build up in the body.
This waste then builds up and harms many regions of the body, including the nerves.
It also impacts the myelin, which is the fatty coating that protects the nerves.
Nerves don’t have a resilient ability to regenerate if they are severely damaged.
These includepain medicationsand antidepressants.
Anti-seizure medications are sometimes prescribed as a way to manage pain.
Since nutritional deficiencies are partly to blame for alcoholic neuropathy.
However, some people notice an improvement in symptoms a few months afterdiscontinuing alcohol intake.
If you feel muscle weakness or numbness after drinking alcohol, quitting drinking may help improve these symptoms.
Sometimes alcohol causes such severe damage to the body that a liver transplant may be necessary.
You might look for a support group specifically for alcoholic neuropathy or for people coping with chronic pain.
You may also benefit from asupport groupto help you reduce your drinking or completely quit drinking alcohol.
Especially if you have been drinking heavily for many years, coping withalcohol use disorderis not easy.
But with the proper resources to help, you are better set up for success with sobriety.
Find out which option is the best for you.
If you are having difficulty avoiding alcohol, there areresources that can help you quit.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Takeaways
Alcohol use disorder is a challenging condition.
Some of the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can be partially reversed.
But if the neuropathy becomes advanced, it might not be reversible.
Medication can help reduce some of the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy.
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