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I can relate to nearly all of this. I've described my 3 months of sobriety as a the hangover from a 4 year drunken night out. Even when not actually drunk, my decision making was seriously impaired.

There's a new song called 'Lost on You' by LP which I relate to alcohol instead of a person! It's my dignity I lost the most, and the thing I've most enjoyed gaining back from sobriety.

I can relate to Icehouse's epiphany as well.

Mine was a bit different.

Years ago I went to my local bottle shop to get my daily bottle of brandy. The owner didn't even have to ask what I wanted - he just gave it to me.

That was a big wake-up call; "What am I doing to myself?".

I guess that we have all had different epiphanies. Once that has happened and and a brave choice made what follows can be comparatively straightforward, with some ups and downs along the way of course.

I hope so for everybody.

Wide-O, interesting in that my issue started w a back injury to L-4 and 5. First sciatica down one leg, then slight weakness, pins and needles and then both legs affected. Orthopods never believed there was a connection but I always wondered if it was more than just a coincidence. Like you I was never forthcoming w my doctors but once I disclosed my drinking history all agreed that it was alcohol related, but perhaps as you said it was a combination of several things including periods of heavy stress when I did not eat.

Kiwi, I agree with the over prescribing of meds. In my case my cholesterol is very high because of another drug I must take and then that one made my glucose shoot up. On and on it goes.

10decisions, I understand how tempting it is once feeling better to think about a drink but just know that some say they were symptom free for years only for the neuropathy to resurface years later. Best to treat it as a chronic issue and stay away from anything with the potential to further damage the nerves.

As for me, the terrible burning has greatly improved for whatever reason so sleeping is easier but the weakness is worse and things I was able to do just last week are no longer possible. This of course is causing major anxiety issues as I worry about my near future and being able to care for myself and not being a burden on my children. Perhaps the symptoms just are getting worse before better but sure wish I had that answer.

I am not worthy of sympathy and not looking for pity but just fair warning....this neuropathy is nasty. At first onset seek treatment and know the longer it goes greater the progression and permanency. Wishing the best to all those who suffer.

Intense burning continues to improve. I have been off the statins and the benzo drug for several days and perhaps that can explain the improvement but the debilitating weakness and pins and needles continue. I remain hopeful that some of the weakness can be explained by how immobile I had become and in strengthening the muscles and abstaining from alcohol I will see improvement.
Nasty weather here as of late and so I must confess I have not been doing my daily stumble but I have been out and about with errands though it is a challenge at times.
Today I bought alpha lipoic acid figuring it can't hurt. All these supplements add up but still cheaper than alcohol.

It took 5 days for me to see a major improvement from stopping the Benzo.

I'm symptom free unless I eat a lot of chocolate, and it comes back to a small extent just in my legs. I'm really hooked on chocolate at the minute and really need to cut back.

It's liveable now and I'm hoping I am reversing the damage done previously.

Oh yeah...never touched sweets before I quit drinking. Now I need a 12 step for dark chocolate!

I have cut out my sweets in order to bring down my blood sugar incase that too is a contributing fact to the neuropathy. As I said the burning has improved, and I believe the pins and needles has also improved but the legs just don't want to work and my hands give me problems.
All in all I see improvement and so am staying the course. Icehouse, I had to cross a busy street today and attempted a run. Ha!!! What a goof but I made it!

Snort...giggle....

I took a good tumble a couple days back while playing with a Pitbull. I tried to run, realized I can't (yet), and ate grass.....

Good times!

Have now had 4 laser treatments and still getting some pep in my step! No better as of yet, but also no worse. My diet has been terrible lately -- my 19-year-old niece committed suicide -- I haven't been able to eat or sleep for the past 10 days or so. Hopefully when I get to eating healthy again, the treatments I have been undergoing will be more effective.