What are Alcohol Shakes & How to Get Rid of Them

If you’ve recently stopped consuming alcohol and you experience shaking, it’s essential to seek medical attention to ensure the issue is not related to DTs. It’s essential to seek medical attention during alcohol withdrawal, especially after heavy, long-term use. The primary debate between use of long-acting benzodiazepines and short-acting is that of ease of use. Longer-acting drugs, such as diazepam, can be administered less frequently. Drinking to excess can therefore over-inhibit your system—causing you to black out, feel numb, or experience euphoria. While binge drinking, the brain adjusts to rely on alcohol more than GABA.

How long does shaking after drinking last?

Shaking after drinking can last anywhere from a couple of days to a week. The tremors usually peak between 24 to 72 hours after the person last consumed alcohol. Developing DTs happens most commonly with adult males, particularly white, single, younger men.

If you return to drinking, your shakes can come back or worsen. If you can’t stop without help (and many people can’t), medication assisted treatment to help prevent alcohol cravings are available. Alcohol is toxic to brain cells, and chronic drinkers can develop a much smaller cerebellum.

Don’t Drink Caffeine

Take the time to self-reflect upon your drinking habits to discern whether or not you have a problem. The effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms is unclear. As important as trusted support is during detoxification and your treatment program, how to stop alcohol shakes it is equally important after treatment. Addicted individuals often express feelings of anxiety, fear, and stress. These negative emotions can intensify withdrawal symptoms like tremors. Stress and anxiety can increase the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

how to stop alcohol shakes

Plus, in some cases, it can involve more severe symptoms, like mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures. Uncontrolled shaking is a visible symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Long-term alcohol addiction can also lead to brain damage that causes a noticeable https://ecosoberhouse.com/ tremor. Severe liver damage from alcohol abuse can cause a flapping tremor called asterixis. A classic sign or symptom of Alcohol Withdrawal is the alcohol shakes. Alcohol shakes can occur a number of hours after the last drink of alcohol.

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It manifests as uncontrollable, erratic movement of the hands that begin as soon as 12 hours after the last drink. If you’re concerned that your tremors might be the result of withdrawal, it’s best to reach out to a healthcare professional. While you can usually manage alcohol withdrawal syndrome on your own, it can be quite uncomfortable.

Why do I keep shaking after drinking?

As alcohol leaves the body of a heavy drinker, the brain is flooded with more activity, the nervous system becomes hyperactive, and you may experience alcohol tremors or shakes. The shakes can happen as quickly as eight hours after your last drink.

People who live with alcohol use disorder may develop a range of symptoms if they stop drinking suddenly. They may also experience vitamin deficiencies, as alcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients.

What Are “Alcohol Shakes?”

The most commonly used agents are long-acting benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam. These are believed to be superior to other benzodiazepines for treatment of delirium and allow for longer periods between doses. However, benzodiazepines with intermediate half-lives like lorazepam may be safer in people with liver problems. Benzodiazepines showed a protective benefit against alcohol withdrawal symptoms, in particular seizure, compared to other common methods of treatment. There are various ways you can go about treating alcohol tremors depending on the type and severity of your tremors.

We invite you to browse these helpful resources about addiction and treatment in the Miami area. Our evidence-based outpatient programs are tailored to your needs. We’ll help find the path to recovery that works best for you.