Alcoholic neuropathy is a condition in which drinking too much alcohol causes damage to nerve tissue. This may cause pain, tingling, and numbing in your limbs.

Alcoholism, now called alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a condition in which you have difficulty stopping or managing your alcohol intake despite experiencing negative consequences.

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 29 million people had AUD in the United States in 2021.

Over time, the effects of drinking too much alcohol may cause alcoholic neuropathy. This condition is also referred to as “alcohol-related neuropathy” to help decrease the stigma surrounding the condition.

Alcohol-related neuropathy is characterized by damage to the peripheral nerves, which transmit signals between the body, spinal cord, and brain.

Your peripheral nerves help your body manage important sensory and motor functions, including:

  • feeling pain and touch
  • moving your arms and legs
  • controlling your bladder and bowel

Research suggests that up to 66% of people with AUD have some type of alcohol-related neuropathy.

Abstaining from alcohol can help restore your nutritional health, improve your symptoms, and prevent further nerve damage. However, some alcohol-induced nerve damage is permanent.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for alcohol-related neuropathy.

Symptoms of alcohol-related neuropathy are similar to those of peripheral neuropathy. These can affect both your controlled and involuntary movements, as well as sensations.

Symptoms most commonly affect the lower limbs and may include:

Severe alcohol-related neuropathy may affect your upper body and the function of some organs. Below are other possible symptoms of alcohol neuropathy:

Arms and legs

Urinary and bowel

Other

It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Early diagnosis and treatment can help increase your chances of fully recovering.

The exact causes of alcohol-related neuropathy aren’t fully understood. However, researchers have found that consuming too much alcohol for long periods of time can damage the peripheral nerves.

One way chronic alcohol consumption may lead to alcohol-related neuropathy is by causing malnutrition. Alcohol can impact the way your body absorbs essential vitamins and nutrients for the nervous system, such as:

Chronic alcohol consumption may also cause oxidative stress and inflammation in your body. This is associated with damage to the myelin around the nerves (demyelination) and important neurons (axonal degeneration).

A doctor will first perform a physical examination and medical history to assess your symptoms. This may include questions about:

  • the type, severity, and frequency of symptoms you experience
  • how much alcohol you consume and how often

It’s important to share any history of alcohol use with the doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis.

A doctor may also order tests to help identify other possible causes of neuropathy, such as vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and HIV. These tests may include:

The most important thing you can do to treat alcohol-related neuropathy is to stop consuming alcohol.

This may feel like a big challenge, especially if you have AUD. However, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Many support systems and professional services are available in person or online to help you on your journey.

Treatment for AUD will aim to help you manage symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and cravings for alcohol. Your treatment plan may include a combination of:

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.

Your treatment plan may include a combination of:

The sooner you stop drinking alcohol, the more favorable your outlook is if you have alcohol-related neuropathy. Research suggests you can recover from some or all of the nerve damage caused by alcohol-related neuropathy.

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.

Some tips to prevent alcohol-related neuropathy include:

  • avoiding drinking more than two drinks daily for males and one drink daily for females
  • not drinking alcohol if you have symptoms of alcohol-related neuropathy
  • seeking help if you’re having trouble avoiding alcohol
  • eating a well-balanced diet
  • exercising for at least 150 minutes weekly
  • taking vitamin supplements if you have deficiencies

Does alcoholic neuropathy go away?

Alcohol-related neuropathy can go away if you stop consuming alcohol and follow your treatment plan. However, severe alcohol-related neuropathy may cause permanent nerve damage.

Can alcohol cause pain in your feet?

Yes, long-term excessive alcohol consumption may lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause pain in your feet.

What is alcoholic neuropathy muscle weakness?

Alcohol-related neuropathy can damage the nerves involved in movement. This may affect your muscles, causing weakness and cramping.

How fast can neuropathy progress?

There’s no exact timeframe for how quickly alcohol-related neuropathy develops. It could take several months or years to develop. However, stopping consuming alcohol sooner can help stop the progression of nerve damage.

Alcohol-related neuropathy is a condition caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period. The toxic effects of alcohol may damage your peripheral nerves, which play a role in movement and sensation.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms of alcohol-related neuropathy or are struggling to stop drinking. They could help develop a treatment plan for you.