Why Do Alcoholics Shake? Exploring Causes, Effects, and Treatment Options

If the alcohol shakes persist for months after abstinence, the addiction specialists will typically recommend that the patient see a neurologist. An MRI can identify shrinkage in the cerebellum, which is a sign that it has been damaged from alcohol. This can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies, which can be rectified by supplementing thiamine. The alcohol shakes are usually not brought about because of one “bad” night or a binge; these come after prolonged alcohol use, gradually worsening over time. If this is what you or someone you know is experiencing, the severity can be measured by the nature of the shakes themselves. This can disrupt the way the brain sends instructions to the muscles and nerves, causing symptoms such as tremors in the fingers or hands.

• A hangover usually begins a few hours after you finish drinking, as your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) begins to fall.
• You’ll first need to detox from alcohol altogether in a healthy and effective manner.
• Given the fact that alcohol withdrawal can cause tremors, you may be wondering if tremor is a sign of alcoholism.
• Temporary changes to neurotransmitter activity are part of the reason some people experience hangover shakes.
• Alcohol-related damage to the cerebellum can result in what’s known as an intention tremor.
• When the effect of alcohol wears off, the brain finds it difficult to cope with an increase in activity.

Whether you’re a social drinker or a family member seeking information, this blog offers insights into the causes, symptoms, and treatment of alcohol-induced tremors. Alcohol shakes, or tremors, occur when a long-term or heavy drinker stops consuming alcohol. It can vary from person to person, but they are a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal. There are many well-equipped rehabilitation centers in all parts of the country. A drug and alcohol addiction treatment center provides a serene environment where people with addictions can receive proper care and reorientation. Stress and anxiety can increase the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Build a Support Group

Continued drinking with ARBD or ARBI puts you at risk for severe brain damage, including dementia. If you’ve recently stopped consuming alcohol and experienced shaking, talk to a doctor. It’s essential to seek medical attention to ensure the issue is unrelated to DTs. Most people stop having withdrawal symptoms four to five days after their last drink. Those who only drink alcohol occasionally are very unlikely to get tremors. Tremors only occur in those whose bodies are accustomed to large amounts of alcohol on a daily basis.

• The only way to prevent a worsening of symptoms is to quit drinking, although this should not be attempted without professional help.
• As the alcohol leaves your body, however, your central nervous system, along with part of your sympathetic nervous system, remains unbalanced.
• Once symptoms of alcohol-related brain damage occur, they will continue to worsen if drinking continues.
• BlueCrest Recovery Center takes a whole-person approach to treatment, considering not only a person’s physical needs but also their emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.
• Each day, take time to revisit your recovery goals and the reasons you decided to stop using alcohol.
• Most of the time, an individual with a drinking problem who shakes is exhibiting signs of alcohol withdrawal, but there are other reasons why an alcoholic might shake.

If in-person supervised alcohol detox is recommended due to the risk of alcohol withdrawal, you are not alone. After safely completing detox and reducing the risk of alcohol withdrawal, many people pursue longer-term care such as online alcohol treatment. Monument connects you to physicians like myself, and licensed therapists who can help you build a treatment toolkit to empower your long-term success. Severe withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening, and it’s crucial to both be aware of them, and discuss potential risks with your healthcare provider. Once you’ve made the decision to get sober, it’s very important to have the right support system around you. Trying to detox from alcohol on your own, or trying to quit “cold turkey,” can be very dangerous.

Common Causes of Alcohol Shakes

However, untreated DT can be dangerous, so a person at risk for DT should see a doctor if they get hangover shakes. If you don’t have access to a medical facility while experiencing the alcohol shakes, it’s recommended to call a doctor for medical advice as you detox as comfortably as possible at home. Either way, make sure you have someone around to supervise you and assure you’re drinking water & getting a fair amount of rest. Alcohol shakes, as evident by their name, are most common among individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction.

• Supervised alcohol detox may require medication and frequent monitoring to be done safely.
• Our recovery programs are based on decades of research to deliver treatment that really works.
• If you make the decision to stop drinking daily and heavily, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms.
• If you drink frequently, you might experience more frequent shakes afterward.
• Shaking that occurs when you go without a drink for several hours can mean you have a physical dependence on alcohol and are suffering from withdrawal.
• Again, shaking and tremors can also be a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can happen if you’ve been drinking for a while and suddenly stop or sharply reduce your intake.

The central nervous system gets “excited,” leading to tremors until the alcohol leaves the system. shaking from alcohol aren’t a sign of weakness but a sign that could lead to health complications. Heavy drinking can cause temporary body shakes for social or occasional drinkers as the body metabolizes (breaks down) alcohol.

Besides shaking, what other withdrawal symptoms are there?

This means that heavy drinking gets the brain used to a reduced level of stimulation. These cases are usually reserved for late-stage AUD sufferers with a long history of abuse. While there is more that goes into aftercare, these two facets of it allow the client to fully mitigate their alcohol shakes. Clinicians, psychiatrists, and the entirety of the licensed medical team will be able to help them with their condition.

Hallucinations and seizures can also be part of a severe alcohol withdrawal response known as delirium tremens. Just as the duration of tremors can vary, the ideal treatment can differ based upon withdrawal severity. Some people may experience only mild alcohol withdrawal and find that tremors stop in a few days with no treatment. Others may require medication to treat withdrawal symptoms like tremors.

Elevate’s holistic drug rehab center in California can be your first step toward recovery and a tremor-free life. At two cutting-edge facilities in Santa Cruz and Lake Tahoe, our medical experts, therapists, and specialists can help you work through alcohol shakes, anxiety, and any other struggles you may be experiencing. But over time, excessive alcohol use leads to a decrease in natural GABA activity.

• Plus, in some cases, it can involve more severe symptoms, like mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
• Going through the detox and withdrawal process will likely be safer and more comfortable at a rehab center or medical facility than at a house or another location.
• Alcohol has a depressant effect on the body, slowing down brain function and energy levels.
• A person who often gets hangover shakes might want to discuss AUD treatment with their doctor.
• However, it is important to note that shaking after drinking does indicate that you’re drinking too much.

It’s very important to seek help if you struggle with alcohol use disorder. It is possible to get treatment and live a healthier life with a better relationship with alcohol. A person who regularly uses alcohol and then stops is at risk of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including delirium tremens (DT). For someone with mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, outpatient treatment might be the best course of action.

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