Drinking heavily is also connected to malnutrition, leading to nutritional deficiency and vitamin deficiencies. The medical community has recognized that addiction is a disease and some people are predisposed to it. As a result, it is usually necessary to get medical help to manage alcohol use disorder. In general, it takes years for alcoholic neuropathy to develop, so a long-standing history of heavy alcohol use is typical. Some people experience a faster onset and progression of alcoholic neuropathy than others.
Get Help for Alcoholism
The damage to nerves can be significant and in more severe cases, irreversible. Normally, the first step to treatment is to stop the alcohol intake completely. But even long after the person stops drinking, nerve damage may still be present. Experts believe that chronic alcohol intake leads to oxidative stress, which then causes neuronal damage.
Health Conditions
A comprehensive approach that includes medical detox, nutritional rehabilitation, and addiction therapy is essential for long-term recovery. While some nerve damage can be permanent, stopping alcohol consumption and seeking medical attention can help to slow or stop the progression of the condition. In some cases, nerve function can be improved with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.
Factors That Affect Recovery
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 Alcoholics Anonymous role in movement and sensation. It is important that you completely remove all the alcohol from your system. Experts believe that the ideal treatment option should be to halt the damage done to the peripheral nerves and focus on restoring their normal function. The ideal way to do that is with proper and complete alcohol abstinence and implementing vitamin B supplements along with a well-balanced diet.
- That means you may experience intestine, stomach, and bladder problems.
- This will have a serious adverse effect on multiple metabolic pathways and will also influence the nervous system.
- Severe alcoholic neuropathy may cause motor weakness due to nerve damage.
She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. Research suggests that up to 66% of people with AUD have some type of alcohol-related neuropathy. A blood chemistry test will give the doctor a better idea about the patient’s overall health. With complete blood count (CBC), the doctor tries to establish how much the oxygen travels through the body. In more severe cases, they can cut themselves or endure more severe injuries. As they don’t feel the pain, they also don’t feel the need to protect their wounds.
Comprehensive Addiction Treatment
The treatment and recovery process is different for everyone, as everyone’s situation is unique. The toughest first step is the obvious one — the patient must stop drinking. Many times, this requires a full alcohol detoxification and rehab program. If the patient continues to drink, the disease will progress and affect the internal organs, digestion, basic balance and coordination, and even the urinary tract and sexual function. Some of the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can be lessened with medication. Reducing alcohol intake as soon as possible is the most crucial way to stop the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy from getting worse.
- Physical therapy and orthopedic appliances (such as splints) may be needed to maintain muscle function and limb position.
- Many programs will help manage co-occurring disorders like alcoholic neuropathy, so the recovering patient can live a more comfortable and sober life.
- Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being.
- If that diagnosis is confirmed, you’ll need supervised detox in a hospital, plus long-term counseling to reinvent your life and avoid relapse.
- In this article, we will delve into the causes, treatment, and recovery options for alcohol neuropathy in individuals in their 20s.
- Nothing will help for neuropathic damage, unless the main culprit, alcohol, is removed.
Alcoholic neuropathy is a condition caused by long-term alcohol use that damages the peripheral nerves. These nerves send signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When alcohol is consumed heavily over time, it can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb alcohol neuropathy essential nutrients like vitamin B1 (thiamine), leading to nerve damage. This article explores the process and what you can do to improve your chances of healing. Genetic factors may also play a role, making some individuals more prone to alcohol-related nerve damage than others.