Your peripheral nervous system consists of all the other nerves in your body. It also includes nerves that travel from your spinal cord and brain to supply your face and the rest of your body. When you ingest alcohol, your kidneys’ filtering abilities are affected, as is the way the organs handle electrolytes like potassium and sodium.

When should I seek professional help for nerve pain that might be related to alcohol use?

The most important step is to speak honestly with a healthcare professional. Tell them how much and how often you drink, what symptoms you have, how long they have been there and whether you have other conditions like diabetes or liver disease. Together you can plan realistic changes and supportive steps to protect your nerves, your feet and your long term mobility. Alcoholic neuropathy refers to nerve damage resulting from chronic heavy alcohol use.

What Are the Sensations Associated With Alcoholic Neuropathy?

The symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life. Initially, symptoms might include tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in the extremities, particularly the feet and hands. As the condition progresses, these sensations can lead to pain, muscle weakness, and even muscle atrophy. The nerve damage can also affect autonomic functions, leading to problems with blood pressure regulation, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Because of this interruption, the feet and hands tend to feel weaker. But, when neuropathy affects the lower part of the body, these muscles will have poor organ control. That means you may experience intestine, stomach, and bladder problems. So, it’s not uncommon for alcoholic neuropathy to cause sexual dysfunction. Beyond its direct toxic effects, chronic alcohol consumption significantly contributes to nerve damage by inducing nutritional deficiencies. Alcohol interferes with the absorption, metabolism, and utilization of essential nutrients vital for nerve function.

She’s passionate about working with clients to work through trauma and improve mental stability. In her personal life, Karlie likes reading sci-fi drug addiction treatment and fantasy and going to Marvel movies. She enjoys playing board games and having home karaoke nights with her friends. Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential. Alcoholic neuropathy is simply peripheral neuropathy triggered by the excessive consumption of alcohol over extended periods of time.

Your peripheral nervous system carries motor signals, which are commands sent from your brain to your muscles. Your muscles need https://licorice.plus/understanding-the-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose-7/ nerve connections to the brain to stay healthy and work properly. The most important thing you can do to treat this condition is to stop drinking. Beyond the numbness, tingling, and debilitating pain, it often accompanies sudden alcohol intolerance, rendering what was once a social indulgence into an unbearable trigger for worsening symptoms.

Evaluation & Tests

What about some home remedy options or alcoholic neuropathy vitamins — do they exist? Home remedies like gentle exercise, warm baths, and maintaining a balanced diet can help manage alcoholic neuropathy symptoms. Vitamins such as B1 (thiamine), B12, and folate are essential for nerve health and may support recovery, especially when combined with reducing or stopping alcohol intake.

• If you or someone you care about is struggling with the effects of alcoholic neuropathy, remember that you do not have to face these difficulties alone.
• It’s a Saturday evening, and a group of friends have gathered for a barbecue.
• Alcoholics may develop peripheral neuropathy due to various causes.
• Autonomic symptoms are among the most serious because they involve your body’s vital functions.

Your healthcare provider may suggest a medically supervised detoxification process. This helps to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms while safely eliminating alcohol from your system. 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 developed her clinical approach in various inpatient, hospital, outpatient, and private practice settings.

One side effect of heavy drinking is the development of psoriasis, which is a skin condition that leads to red, scaly patches of skin all over your body. When psoriasis affects a person’s feet, simple things like walking can become extremely uncomfortable. Meanwhile, drinking dehydrates your entire body which can lead to heel fissures as well as flaky, cracked foot skin. In general, it takes years for alcoholic neuropathy to develop, so a long-standing history of heavy alcohol use is typical. Most patients diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy are aged years. Alcoholic neuropathy is also caused by nutritional deficiency, as well as toxins that build up in the body.

Originally from Northborough, Massachusetts, Mary has supported adults cycling through the legal system—often with co-occurring mental-health and substance-use concerns. Originally from Tokyo, Anna earned a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Denver Seminary in 2015. She brings a decade of experience across the full continuum of care—from medical detox through private practice, helping clients address substance use alongside trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders.

Autonomic and whole‑body symptoms

A structured program, such as an Austin detox program, offers 24/7 monitoring, comfort medications, and a safer transition through withdrawal while your team keeps an eye on nerve‑related symptoms. I’ve had limbs fall asleep after sleeping weird, but never experienced alcohol neuropathy stages anything to this extent because of alcohol, and after reading online am very worried about alcoholic neuropathy. Information and support for those affected by alcoholism/Alcohol Use Disorder. If you are concerned about alcohol’s effect on your life or a loved one’s life, please feel welcome. Toenail fungus and other fungi (such as athlete’s foot) don’t cause neuropathy. If you have fungus on your foot and are experiencing numbness, it’s likely because of poor circulation.

Autonomic Nerve Impact

Excessive, long-term consumption of alcohol can lead to malnutrition as well as nerve damage, and both contribute to the development of alcoholic neuropathy. While abstaining from alcohol is incredibly important, it’s just as crucial to have a strong emotional and social support system in place. Connecting with others who are going through a similar journey can help improve your quality of life. A great way to establish these connections is by participating in support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or other sobriety-focused organizations. Self-hypnosis has been clinically validated for managing pain and stress. The Reveri hypnosis app provides guided sessions designed to reduce discomfort, improve nerve function, and support long-term recovery.