Alcohol-Related Neurologic Disease: Types, Signs, Treatment

It has previously been considered in relationship to nutritional, especially thiamine, deficiencies seen in alcoholics. Thiamine deficiency is closely related to chronic alcoholism and can induce neuropathy in alcoholic patients. Ethanol diminishes thiamine absorption in the intestine, reduces hepatic stores of thiamine and affects the phosphorylation of thiamine, which converts it to its active form 12. In addition, patients with chronic alcoholism tend to consume smaller amounts of essential nutrients and vitamins and/or exhibit impaired gastrointestinal absorption of these nutrients secondary to the direct effects of alcohol. These relationships make chronic alcoholism a risk factor for thiamine how do you know if your neuropathy is caused by alcohol? deficiency.

Treatment Options for Alcohol-Related Neuropathy

This commonly presents with pain, paresthesias, and ataxia in the distal lower extremities. The exact number of people affected by this condition is not known, but studies have shown that up to 66% of patients with chronic alcohol use disorder may have some form of the disease. The cause is multifactorial, from both nutritional deficiencies and alcohol metabolism’s direct toxic effects Drug rehabilitation on neurons.

Other areas of the body

Depletion of glutathione increases the susceptibility of neurones to oxidative stress and hyperalgesia 43, 44. If you have a diagnosis of alcoholic neuropathy, abstinence from alcohol is the primary treatment to restore nerve function. Talk with your doctor before consuming alcohol if you have any diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.

Additional Tests

• Depending on your individual insurance plan, treatment at a specific facility may or may not be covered.
• They may notice a weakness in their hands or that they have lost some of their coordination.
• However, some people notice an improvement in symptoms a few months after discontinuing alcohol intake.

It’s also essential to seek treatment from a physician, as they possess the specialized knowledge to determine the best course of action. Regular monitoring and an adherence to treatment plans can speed up recovery times and ensure a better quality of life. The psychological impact of chronic conditions such as alcoholic neuropathy should not be underestimated. Counseling or therapy can help us cope with the emotional and mental challenges of a lengthy recovery process. However, this seemingly innocuous sensation may be an early warning sign of a condition known as alcoholic neuropathy, a lesser-known but significant consequence of long-term alcohol use. How does alcohol cause neuropathy, and how do you know if your neuropathy is caused by alcohol?

Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Danny moved to Denver to study at the University of Colorado and earned a master’s degree in counseling. Danny spent the first nine years of his career working in youth residential treatment. After managing that program for six years, Danny moved to AspenRidge and now leads the clinical team. Give us a call and we can help find the right treatment program for you or your loved one – even if it’s not ours! Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience.

Many support systems and professional services are available in person or online to help you on your journey. If you are ready to learn more about addiction treatment, American Addiction Centers (AAC) is ready to help. AAC is a leading provider of evidence-based addiction treatment with facilities across the U.S. You can call our free, confidential helpline at for more information about rehab.

• Hailing from Boulder County, Courtney embarked on her academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
• Pain seems consistent in the literature as 1 of the most common complaints and can be the first clinical indication of the disease.
• However, this seemingly innocuous sensation may be an early warning sign of a condition known as alcoholic neuropathy, a lesser-known but significant consequence of long-term alcohol use.

At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care. Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. Nerve damage from chronic alcohol consumption can develop over several years.