Experiencing hangover shakes can be a distressing aftermath of a night of heavy drinking. These shaking or trembling sensations are often accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms. Understanding the causes and treatments of hangover shakes is essential for alleviating discomfort and promoting recovery. The more your physical and mental health improves, the less likely you are to experience tremors or other residual withdrawal symptoms, and the greater quality of life you will enjoy. If you have a history of heavy drinking and tremors are not shaking when drinking alcohol stopping on their own, you may be wondering what to take for alcohol shakes. In this case, it is best to consult with a doctor, especially given the fact that withdrawal can progress to delirium tremens, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
Self-Assessment for Alcohol Use Disorder
- AWS is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when an individual who has been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake.
- Trying to detox from alcohol on your own, or trying to quit “cold turkey,” can be very dangerous.
- You will be stuck in a cycle of drinking, withdrawal, and alcohol shakes.
- Sometimes, recovering alcoholics experience no shakes at all throughout the detox period.
- For every alcoholic drink consumed, aim to drink an equal amount of water.
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. After withdrawal is complete, it is essential that you not begin drinking again. Alcohol treatment programs are important because they improve your what is alcoholism chances of successfully staying off of alcohol. Only about 20% of people with alcohol use disorder are able to abstain from alcohol permanently without the help of formal treatment or self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Blood Sugar Levels
- Over time, the brain adjusts its own chemistry to compensate for the effect of the alcohol.
- This hyperactivity manifests as tremors, commonly referred to as detox shakes.
- Uncontrollable shaking, usually in the hands, is a common sign of alcohol withdrawal.
- The primary causes of hangover shakes include alcohol-induced dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and alcohol withdrawal.
This results in the decreased anxiety and sedation that drinkers often experience. Upon cessation, the body attempts to compensate for this imbalance, which can cause shakes and other withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol-related tremors are a physical sign of the body’s dependence on alcohol. If you tremble when there’s no alcohol in your system, consider turning to professionals for help. They can help you weather withdrawal and give you the tools your body and mind need to overcome alcohol abuse.
- But if you’ve gone through alcohol withdrawal once, you’re more likely to go through it again.
- To reduce your stress during withdrawal, try doing some light exercise, like going for a walk or riding your bike.
- Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider.
- The trembling usually begins within six to eight hours after the last drink, with peak intensity occurring anywhere from 10 to 30 hours later.
- Shaking can indicate severe alcohol withdrawal, especially when accompanied by symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
- Once you stop using alcohol, it may take several months to regain a normal sleep pattern.
How to Stop Alcohol Shakes
Those who have struggled with long-term, chronic alcohol dependency may experience shakes throughout the entire withdrawal process and sometimes even weeks beyond that. Managing alcohol shakes effectively requires a combination of medical supervision and lifestyle adjustments. Taking the appropriate steps can alleviate symptoms and ensure safety during withdrawal. When you stop drinking, the brain’s heightened glutamate activity continues unchecked, while GABA levels remain low. This imbalance overstimulates the nervous system, leading to disjointed nerve signaling and involuntary movements, commonly seen as tremors. In some rare cases, tremors may not appear until seven to ten days after the last drink, especially for people with a long history of heavy drinking or co-occurring medical conditions.
- In the following sections, we will explore the causes of hangover shakes and provide insights into effective treatment approaches to alleviate the discomfort.
- AWS occurs when a person who has been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years stops or dramatically reduces their alcohol consumption.
- These are red flags for delirium tremens (DTs), and you don’t want to mess around with that.
- Aside from that, the additional withdrawal symptoms that accompany alcohol shakes are also uncomfortable at best.
- While the exact cause of hangover shakes is not fully understood, several factors are believed to contribute to their occurrence.