Can alcohol use disorder cause peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy affects nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Alcohol-related nerve damage often begins in the toes or feet and may cause burning, tingling, numbness, sensitivity to touch, cramps, or weakness. Poor nutrition, diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney disease, and some medicines can cause similar symptoms. A clinician may check sensation, strength, balance, blood tests, and medicines before attributing symptoms to alcohol.

Book an assessment for new, spreading, or persistent tingling, numbness, pain, or weakness. Treating the cause early may prevent further nerve injury. Avoid alcohol with professional support, and ask about nutrition and vitamin replacement rather than starting high-dose supplements yourself. Protect numb feet and hands from hot water, cuts, pressure, and poorly fitting shoes because reduced sensation can hide injuries. Tell your clinician about falls or changes in walking.

Seek urgent help for sudden weakness, new difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe confusion, or trouble breathing. Prompt assessment is also needed for a foot wound, spreading redness, swelling, or fever when numbness makes injury harder to notice. If reducing alcohol causes seizures, hallucinations, or severe confusion, treat it as an emergency.

Ask which causes should be tested, whether your medicines or nutrition could affect nerves, how to manage nerve pain, and how to reduce alcohol safely. Discuss physiotherapy, fall prevention, foot checks, and symptoms that should trigger urgent care.