The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 6.9 percent of the population were heavy drinkers in 2008. Heavy drinking is defined as having five or more drinks on one occasion and at least five occasions in the previous 30 days. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that heavy drinking can cause heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and cirrhosis of the liver. An additional possible complication from heavy alcohol use is alcoholic neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. According to MedlinePlus, alcoholic neuropathy usually affects people who have been heavy alcohol drinkers for 10 years or more.
Sensation
Nerves are the means by which sensation is delivered from the body's extremities to the brain. When there is nerve damage because of alcohol abuse, the ability to sense objects through touch is affected. MedlinePlus reports that some symptoms of neuropathy include numbness in the arms and legs. Abnormal sensations (including "pins and needles") and pain in the arms and legs are also possible.
Muscles
Nerves are also the means by which signals from the brain are delivered to the muscles and cause body movement. Neuropathy often results in diminished muscle coordination. According to Merck Source, muscle problems because of alcoholic neuropathy include cramps and/or aches and weakness. Other problems stemming from the interruption between nerves and muscles are also possible. These include impotence in men, difficulty retaining urine (incontinence) and difficulty releasing urine.
Other Symptoms
There are also other symptoms that may occur as a result of alcoholic neuropathy that have to do with muscle movement but are less common. MedlinePlus describes these symptoms as difficulty swallowing and/or speaking, muscle spasms and muscle atrophy. Merck Source reports that all of the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy usually occur on both sides of the body and more commonly affect the legs than arms.
