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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.