The Painful, Potentially Permanent Reality of Alcoholic Polyneuropathy

This type of pain is common in conditions like diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. Most often, she says, symptoms start with foot pain, progress to numbness, then move up the foot and leg. When symptoms reach just below the knee, pain and numbness usually start in the hands as well. However, when the neuropathy has advanced so much that it has caused permanent damage, the liver transplant may have little to no effect on the larger symptoms in the rest of the body. The alcohol hinders the body’s ability to filter out poisons, chemicals, and other potentially dangerous elements, Sobriety therefore damaging the kidneys. The other problem with alcohol is that it is a diuretic, meaning it dries out the system.

Autonomic Nerve Impact

Consider joining a support group — there are a number online if your condition prevents you from leaving the house. Alcoholic neuropathy affects people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period of time. About 46% of people with alcohol use disorder may eventually develop this condition.

Rehab Programs

The logic makes sense, but unfortunately, the more you drink, the worse alcohol-induced neuropathy gets. Chronic drinking also harms other aspects of your body and health, not to mention your relationships and your ability to actively engage in your own life. How exactly does alcohol cause neuropathy, and what can you do if it’s something you or your loved one lives with?

Mental Health Treatment

If left untreated, alcoholic neuropathy symptoms can worsen, leading to chronic pain, weakness, and even mobility issues. There are ways to slow, manage, and sometimes even reverse this condition. A U.S. Army veteran, Chandler began his clinical path working with at-risk youth and completed formal addiction-counseling training before moving into individual and group therapy. Before AspenRidge, he was a clinical-psychologist intern while progressing toward his doctorate. Alcoholic neuropathy is just one of the potential conditions caused by excessive, long-standing alcohol consumption, and it can be utterly debilitating. Alcoholic neuropathy damages the nerves due to prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption.

• A liver transplant may be needed in people with very severe alcohol use disorders.
• Treatment for alcohol use disorder may include counseling, social support such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or medicines.
• But this system also requires care and can be harmed in a variety of different ways.
• The burning pain results from damaged sensory nerves sending erroneous signals to the brain.
• Alcoholic neuropathy requires a comprehensive treatment approach focused on both halting the condition’s progression and alleviating its symptoms.
• As the condition progresses, these sensations can lead to pain, muscle weakness, and even muscle atrophy.

Previous PostDual Diagnosis with Substance Use Disorder

In the case of alcoholic neuropathy, it’s usually a combination of these factors. The result is a slow and often progressive breakdown in the nerves’ ability to do their job properly. That’s because the nerves to your feet are the longest in the body, and often the first to be affected by systemic issues like alcohol-related damage.

Warning Signs For Alcoholic Neuropathy

Early alcoholic neuropathy, usually presenting as sensory symptoms in the extremities, is reversible if the patient stops drinking and establishes proper nutrition. However, more severe and prolonged cases may be irreversible, even with abstinence, and lead to lifelong impairment. Sensory symptoms, caused by damage to sensory nerves, usually begin in the feet before progressing to the legs, hands, and arms. Usually, when sensory function becomes impaired above the ankle, they will also spread into the hands, a distribution known as the stocking-and-glove pattern.5 Symptoms also often develop symmetrically. However, vulnerability to neuropathy and its severity and speed of progression varies. Women, continuous drinkers more so than episodic drinkers, and people with a family history of the disorder appear to be more vulnerable to alcoholic neuropathy and may develop more severe presentations.

• Only the degree of nerve damage is determined by the nerve tests; the cause of neuropathy is not.
• She’s passionate about working with clients to work through trauma and improve mental stability.
• Some people may find it dull and continuous, while others may find it piercing, stabbing, and sharp.

Emotional and Social Support

Additionally, they must acquire a variety of therapeutic medications to aid in control and prevent nerve injury. Antidepressant drugs are frequently used to assist manage the pain of alcoholic neuropathy, even though they are not licensed expressly for this alcohol neuropathy stages condition. Supplementing with vitamin B12, folate, vitamin E, and thiamine may be advised to address these deficits.

How Can You Prevent Alcoholic Neuropathy?

Alcoholic neuropathy can cause pain at rest and even tactile sensitivity. Light contact can feel unpleasant and exaggerated, especially in the fingers and toes. The projections that transmit electrical impulses from one nerve to another, known as axons, are usually impacted by nerve injury.

Kathleen has more than 15 years of experience treating people who have a substance use disorder. Originally from Nashville, TN, Jordan moved to Colorado with her family at age five. She has worked in behavioral health since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2019. Jordan describes her approach as eclectic but most https://ecosoberhouse.com/ beneficial and includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and family-oriented practices. Some of the most common symptoms are numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities, pain or a burning sensation in the extremities, and difficulty walking.

About 46% of people with alcohol use disorder will eventually develop this condition. Supporting recovery and preventing relapse in individuals with alcoholic neuropathy involves building a strong support network, including healthcare providers, family, friends, and support groups. Ongoing therapy and counseling can address the psychological aspects of addiction and help develop strategies for coping with the challenges of neuropathy.