When you suffer from alcoholic neuropathy, it's essentially a form of peripheral nerve damage caused by the excessive use and abuse of alcohol. But the development of this condition isn't thought to be solely related to the nerve poisoning caused by the alcohol itself. Many alcoholics tend to have poor dietary habits that lead to vitamin deficiencies linked to the damage of your nerves, making nutrition another facet in neuropathy. Regardless of the cause, there are things you can do to help yourself recover from this condition.
Step 1
Stop the use of alcohol. By stopping the use and abuse of alcohol, you can cease further irritation and damage to your nerves, setting the stage for recovery. If the underlying cause of the damage isn't remedied, there's not much you can do to treat the condition.
Step 2
Observe your symptoms. After you've stopped abusing alcohol, you may see an improvement in your condition, especially if the nerve damage is minimal, so treatment may not be necessary.
Step 3
Improve your diet. Since a portion of the neuropathy may be linked to poor nutrition, work to improve your overall diet. Start by incorporating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your meals. Improving your overall health will make other treatments more effective.
Step 4
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Sometimes, aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen is all you'll need to reduce the symptoms of neuropathy, such as pain and sensitivity. Simply follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor. If your symptoms are much more severe, you may need prescription medications to treat the nerve damage. Painkillers are one of the more common drugs used from peripheral neuropathy, but your physician may put you on another type of drug, especially when dealing with substance abuse. This may include anticonvulsants, like pregabalin, topiramate, phenytoin and gabapentin, or certain antidepressants, such as duloxetine, amitriptyline and nortriptyline.
Step 6
Consult with a physical therapist. When the neuropathy causes weakness and loss of mobility, you'll need to talk to a physical therapist. Guided exercise to strengthen and support the affected limbs may be necessary to improve these symptoms of the condition.
Tips and Warnings
- The most obvious way of preventing alcoholic neuropathy is avoid the use of alcohol, or at least limit consumption.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
