Learn 20 Different Ways to Help Deal with Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Occasionally, alcohol withdrawal can even develop into delirium tremens (DT), an extremely severe form of withdrawal, which can lead to seizures and hallucinations. It is usually caused by suddenly stopping alcohol intake after a long period of heavy drinking, and can occasionally be fatal. Alcohol shakes, as evident by their name, are most common among individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, they can also result from other issues related to AUD, such as binge drinking, excessive alcohol use over time, alcohol-related brain damage, and liver disease. If you’re concerned that your tremors might be the result of withdrawal, it’s best to reach out to a healthcare professional.

In 2019, about 20.8% of driving fatalities were a result of alcohol-impaired driving. The overconsumption of alcohol poses many threats to the safety of the user and those around them. Alcohol is classified as a depressant for its effects on the central nervous system. Those who consume alcohol often report a sense of ease, confidence, and weightlessness. On the other side of the coin, blurred vision, loss of coordination, and nausea are some of the complementary side effects of alcohol use. The more you drink, the more difficult it is to increase the GABA and decrease the glutamate, as your body becomes accustomed to the changes and responds by producing less GABA and more glutamate.

Seeking Professional Help

Tapering off of alcohol involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol use over time, eventually stopping use entirely. However, tapering is not a medically recommended form of quitting alcohol because it is very difficult to do. Alcohol addiction is characterized by an inability to control one’s drinking, and a taper requires very strict control of how much alcohol is used. This makes it very difficult to successfully taper yourself off of alcohol. A doctor or other treatment professional may evaluate for the above factors prior to making a recommendation for the level of detox care and detox timeline needed to keep a person safe and comfortable.

Because of their similar effects, benzodiazepines and alcohol are cross-tolerant—in other words, a person who is tolerant to alcohol also is tolerant to benzodiazepines. DT’s, which last up to 3 or 4 days, are characterized by disorientation and are usually accompanied by autonomic signs resulting from the activation of the nerves responsible for the body’s response to stress). Those signs include severe agitation, rapid heartbeat (i.e., tachycardia), high blood pressure, and fever. About five percent of the patients who experience DT’s die from metabolic or cardiovascular complications, trauma, or infections (Victor and Adams 1953; Cutshall 1964).

How Long Does It Take to Detox From Opioids?

Alcohol can inhibit the process of GABA receptors and decrease the production of glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that also plays a role in memory recall and processing. Once the body becomes dependent on alcohol, it may be difficult to quit. The physical dependence on a substance poses many obstacles but that does not mean there isn’t hope for recovery. Over time, as alcohol is continuously used, the cerebellum (a part of the brain that governs balance and coordination) can be damaged.

• When a person becomes dependent on alcohol, their body and brain tend to rely on its presence to function normally.
• However, they can also result from other issues related to AUD, such as binge drinking, excessive alcohol use over time, alcohol-related brain damage, and liver disease.
• It helps to keep busy with activities you find enjoyable and that promote health and well-being.
• Minor tremors become full-body seizures accompanied by high blood pressure and hallucinations.
• Delirium tremens can cause your body temperature, breathing, or blood circulation to change quickly.
• They often will minimize your addiction by telling you it’s not that big of a deal.

As a result, the brain has difficulty controlling the fine motor muscles in the hands and sends unpredictable electrical impulses that cause shaky hands after drinking. One of the best is damiana for its ability to enhance mood and reduce alcohol cravings. Passionflower and Skullcap are also both wonderful for their ability to relax the nervous system and are often used specifically for reducing withdrawal symptoms, like alcohol shakes. A healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms. People who consume large amounts of alcohol may be more prone to certain nutritional deficiencies, including B vitamins.

Linking Withdrawal to Alcoholism Treatment

Acute alcohol withdrawal and excessive alcohol consumption are the two potential causes of tremors. Inpatient treatment programs are available for those who require a more intensive approach to recovery, such as 24/7 medical care and a trigger-free environment. If you have a mild to moderate case of alcohol addiction, then an outpatient addiction treatment program might be ideal. You’ll have a chance to receive treatment through scheduled therapies, wellness practices, and group support.

Thus, excitatory neurotransmitters (e.g., glutamate) stimulate the signal-receiving neuron, whereas inhibitory neurotransmitters (e.g., gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) inhibit the neuron. Under normal conditions, a tight balance is maintained between excitatory and inhibitory influences. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more alcohol shakes and tremors than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 July 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 2 July 2023), ASHP (updated 11 June 2023) and others.

DT’S will typically appear around 2-4 days after a person’s last drink. Patients with mild withdrawal symptoms (i.e., CIWA–Ar scores of 8 or less) and no increased risk for seizures can be managed without specific pharmacotherapy (Mayo-Smith 1997; Saitz and https://ecosoberhouse.com/ O’Malley 1997). Successful nonpharmacological treatments include frequent reassurance and monitoring by treatment staff in a quiet, calm environment. Most patients with mild withdrawal symptoms, whether they are treated or not, do not develop complications.

• If you or someone you know is struggling with their alcohol use, seeking professional help can make a difference.
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be life-threatening if your blood pressure and heart rate are not managed during the detox process.
• Some people may have alcohol shakes, which occur when a person who is dependent on alcohol struggles with withdrawal.
• Those with caregivers or older loved ones in the home intercept the coping mechanisms of drinking and are more likely to use themselves.

It is a good idea for your doctor to examine you carefully and do blood tests, checking for alcohol-related damage to your liver, heart, the nerves in your feet, blood cell counts, and gastrointestinal tract. Your doctor will evaluate your usual diet and check for vitamin deficiencies because poor nutrition is common when someone is dependent on alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal is easy to diagnose if you have typical symptoms that occur after you stop heavy, habitual drinking.

Do Tremors Go Away When You Stop Drinking?

Alcohol treatment programs are important because they improve your chances of successfully staying off of alcohol. Only about 20 percent of alcoholics are able to abstain from alcohol permanently without the help of formal treatment or self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Of people who attend AA, 44 percent of those who remain free of alcohol for 1 year probably will remain abstinent for another year. This figure increases to 91% for those who have remained abstinent and have attended AA for 5 years or more.

Remember that drinking too much can put you at risk for dehydration, which can lead to more intense episodes of shakiness even after the alcohol has left your system. Stay hydrated by drinking water between drinks and after your last drink. However, if you have had too much to drink and feel more than “tipsy,” your shaky feeling and physical symptoms can last more than an hour, depending on how quickly your body metabolizes the alcohol. Depending on the individual’s overall health and their addiction’s length of time, it may take some time to truly diminish. The person might experience some short-term improvements while abstaining. Having shaky hands after drinking is a common symptom of over-consuming alcohol.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Visit an alcohol rehab center in Hanover, PA, for supervised medication therapy that will put you on the path to recovery. Additionally, the clinicians will monitor the alcohol shakes, ensuring that the proper treatment is given if they persist (which can happen). By answering these questions, you can usually gauge the severity of the shakes. Someone that’s been shaking for a year—in a way that’s noticeable to others—is going to have a different experience treating the shakes than someone who only just noticed a slight tremor.