Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Alcoholicneuropathy, also known as alcoholic peripheral neuropathy, refers to damage of the nerves due to chronic and excessive alcohol consumption.Affected nerves include the peripheral nerves, primarily located in the arms and legs, and the autonomic nerves, which help regulate our internal body functions. About 46% of chronic alcohol users will eventually develop this condition.ipopba / Getty ImagesCausesThe exact cause of alcoholic neuropathy is unclear. However, it is known to be directly related toheavy and long-term alcohol consumption.Overconsumption of alcohol may directly harm and hinder the nerves' ability to communicate information from one body area to another.Poor nutrition is often associated with heavy alcohol use. Research shows that decreasedthiamine(a B vitamin) plays a role, while others suggest an overall nutritional deficiency may play a role.However, alcoholic neuropathy can also occur without the presence of malnutrition.How long does it take to develop alcoholic neuropathy?How long it takes for alcoholic neuropathy to develop depends on many factors, including the amount of daily alcohol consumed, a person’s age and overall health, their nutritional intake, and other individual factors. But in most cases, alcoholic neuropathy takes several years or even decades to develop, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.SymptomsSymptoms of alcoholic neuropathy are usually related to nerve dysfunction and may include:Numbness of the extremities, most commonly in the legs or feetA tingling or pins-and-needles sensation in the extremitiesPain or burning sensation in the arms, legs, or feetDifficulty walkingCramps, aches, or weakness of the musclesDifficulty talking or swallowingNauseaand vomitingErection difficultiesDifficulty urinating or incontinenceConstipationordiarrheaHeat intoleranceMost symptoms generally begin as mild. However, they usually worsen over time as the neuropathy progresses.Symptoms that occur in the arms and legs typically affect both sides.How common is alcoholic neuropathy?Alcoholic neuropathy affects people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period of time. About 46% of all chronic alcohol users may eventually develop this condition.DiagnosisSince symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can vary greatly, diagnosis may take time. It usually involves a combination of the following:Medical history: Your healthcare provider will collect data involving past medical history and all current symptoms.Physical exam:This exam aims to uncover other medical conditions contributing to symptoms, like diabetes or high blood pressure.Neurological exam: This is a noninvasive exam to determine the location and extent of neurological damage. Your healthcare provider may ask you to complete a series of small movements and ask several questions to check neurological function.Blood and urine tests: These tests can detect diabetes, liver and kidney problems, infections, vitamin deficiencies, and other conditions that may cause neuropathic conditions.Chronic alcohol use can also affect how the body stores and uses vitamins that are needed for healthy nerve function. In addition to thiamine, vitamin levels that your healthcare provider may check include:Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6PantothenicacidVitamin ABiotinFolic acidNiacin, or vitamin B3Liver disease and neuropathyPeople with chronic liver disease often have neuropathy. The severity and stage of the disease is associated with a higher incidence of neuropathy.TreatmentAlcoholic neuropathy can’t be reversed, even if you stop drinking. However, people with alcoholic neuropathy can make healthy changes to minimize symptoms and receive help for chronic alcohol use.The first step in treating alcoholic neuropathy is stopping alcohol use altogether.Talk to your healthcare provider about what options are best for you. Treatment may include:TherapyMedicationSocial support from groups likeAlcoholics Anonymous(AA)In-patient or outpatient rehabLikely a combination of treatments will be needed.Other treatment options to manage alcoholic neuropathy involve symptom management and preventing further injuries. These options may include:Adding vitamins and supplements to your dietPhysical therapyOrthopedic splints to maintain limb function and positioningMedications to reduce pain and discomfortWearingcompression stockingsKeeping your head elevated while sleepingIntermittentcatheterizationor manual expression of urine for people with difficulty urinatingEating extra salt (only for those withouthypertension)People with any type of neuropathy may have reduced sensitivity in the legs and arms. If this occurs, additional steps need to be taken to prevent other injuries, such as:Ensuring that bath and shower water is not too hot to prevent burnsWearing special footwear to prevent foot injuriesChecking feet daily for woundsIs There a Cure for Alcoholic Neuropathy?This condition is typically not life-threatening, but the nerve damage from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent. It will worsen with continued alcohol use.SummaryAlcoholic neuropathy damages the nerves due to prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption. This damage prevents the nerves from communicating information from one body area to another.Most symptoms generally start as mild. However, they usually worsen over time as the neuropathy progresses. Some of the most common symptoms are numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities, pain or a burning sensation in the extremities, difficulty walking, difficulty urinating, and difficulty talking or swallowing.Diagnosis usually involves a healthcare provider collecting a medical history, performing a medical and neurological exam, and performing blood and urine tests. Treatment options include steps to quit alcohol use and managing symptoms of the disease.

Alcoholicneuropathy, also known as alcoholic peripheral neuropathy, refers to damage of the nerves due to chronic and excessive alcohol consumption.Affected nerves include the peripheral nerves, primarily located in the arms and legs, and the autonomic nerves, which help regulate our internal body functions. About 46% of chronic alcohol users will eventually develop this condition.

ipopba / Getty Images

Close-up two men clinking glasses of whiskey drink alcohol beverage together at counter in the pub

The exact cause of alcoholic neuropathy is unclear. However, it is known to be directly related toheavy and long-term alcohol consumption.Overconsumption of alcohol may directly harm and hinder the nerves' ability to communicate information from one body area to another.

Poor nutrition is often associated with heavy alcohol use. Research shows that decreasedthiamine(a B vitamin) plays a role, while others suggest an overall nutritional deficiency may play a role.However, alcoholic neuropathy can also occur without the presence of malnutrition.

How long does it take to develop alcoholic neuropathy?How long it takes for alcoholic neuropathy to develop depends on many factors, including the amount of daily alcohol consumed, a person’s age and overall health, their nutritional intake, and other individual factors. But in most cases, alcoholic neuropathy takes several years or even decades to develop, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.

How long does it take to develop alcoholic neuropathy?

How long it takes for alcoholic neuropathy to develop depends on many factors, including the amount of daily alcohol consumed, a person’s age and overall health, their nutritional intake, and other individual factors. But in most cases, alcoholic neuropathy takes several years or even decades to develop, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.

Symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy are usually related to nerve dysfunction and may include:

Most symptoms generally begin as mild. However, they usually worsen over time as the neuropathy progresses.

Symptoms that occur in the arms and legs typically affect both sides.

How common is alcoholic neuropathy?Alcoholic neuropathy affects people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period of time. About 46% of all chronic alcohol users may eventually develop this condition.

How common is alcoholic neuropathy?

Alcoholic neuropathy affects people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period of time. About 46% of all chronic alcohol users may eventually develop this condition.

Since symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can vary greatly, diagnosis may take time. It usually involves a combination of the following:

Chronic alcohol use can also affect how the body stores and uses vitamins that are needed for healthy nerve function. In addition to thiamine, vitamin levels that your healthcare provider may check include:

Liver disease and neuropathyPeople with chronic liver disease often have neuropathy. The severity and stage of the disease is associated with a higher incidence of neuropathy.

Liver disease and neuropathy

People with chronic liver disease often have neuropathy. The severity and stage of the disease is associated with a higher incidence of neuropathy.

Alcoholic neuropathy can’t be reversed, even if you stop drinking. However, people with alcoholic neuropathy can make healthy changes to minimize symptoms and receive help for chronic alcohol use.

The first step in treating alcoholic neuropathy is stopping alcohol use altogether.Talk to your healthcare provider about what options are best for you. Treatment may include:

Likely a combination of treatments will be needed.

Other treatment options to manage alcoholic neuropathy involve symptom management and preventing further injuries. These options may include:

People with any type of neuropathy may have reduced sensitivity in the legs and arms. If this occurs, additional steps need to be taken to prevent other injuries, such as:

Is There a Cure for Alcoholic Neuropathy?This condition is typically not life-threatening, but the nerve damage from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent. It will worsen with continued alcohol use.

Is There a Cure for Alcoholic Neuropathy?

This condition is typically not life-threatening, but the nerve damage from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent. It will worsen with continued alcohol use.

Summary

Alcoholic neuropathy damages the nerves due to prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption. This damage prevents the nerves from communicating information from one body area to another.

Most symptoms generally start as mild. However, they usually worsen over time as the neuropathy progresses. Some of the most common symptoms are numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities, pain or a burning sensation in the extremities, difficulty walking, difficulty urinating, and difficulty talking or swallowing.

Diagnosis usually involves a healthcare provider collecting a medical history, performing a medical and neurological exam, and performing blood and urine tests. Treatment options include steps to quit alcohol use and managing symptoms of the disease.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Alcoholic neuropathy.Julian T, Glascow N, Syeed R, Zis P.Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Neurol. 2019;266(12):2907-2919. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9123-1National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Pasha MB, Ather MM, Tanveer MA, et al.Frequency of peripheral neuropathy in chronic liver disease.Med Forum. 2019;30(8):23-26.Chopra K, Tiwari V.Alcoholic neuropathy: possible mechanisms and future treatment possibilities: clinical management of alcoholic neuropathy.British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2012;73(3):348-362. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04111.x

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Alcoholic neuropathy.Julian T, Glascow N, Syeed R, Zis P.Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Neurol. 2019;266(12):2907-2919. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9123-1National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Pasha MB, Ather MM, Tanveer MA, et al.Frequency of peripheral neuropathy in chronic liver disease.Med Forum. 2019;30(8):23-26.Chopra K, Tiwari V.Alcoholic neuropathy: possible mechanisms and future treatment possibilities: clinical management of alcoholic neuropathy.British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2012;73(3):348-362. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04111.x

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Library of Medicine.Alcoholic neuropathy.Julian T, Glascow N, Syeed R, Zis P.Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Neurol. 2019;266(12):2907-2919. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9123-1National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Pasha MB, Ather MM, Tanveer MA, et al.Frequency of peripheral neuropathy in chronic liver disease.Med Forum. 2019;30(8):23-26.Chopra K, Tiwari V.Alcoholic neuropathy: possible mechanisms and future treatment possibilities: clinical management of alcoholic neuropathy.British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2012;73(3):348-362. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04111.x

National Library of Medicine.Alcoholic neuropathy.

Julian T, Glascow N, Syeed R, Zis P.Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Neurol. 2019;266(12):2907-2919. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9123-1

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.

Pasha MB, Ather MM, Tanveer MA, et al.Frequency of peripheral neuropathy in chronic liver disease.Med Forum. 2019;30(8):23-26.

Chopra K, Tiwari V.Alcoholic neuropathy: possible mechanisms and future treatment possibilities: clinical management of alcoholic neuropathy.British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2012;73(3):348-362. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04111.x

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?