Alcohol Shakes: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Stop Them

Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. This cancels the feeling of intoxication produced by alcohol and heightens its negative effects to help prevent relapse. Pill addiction often shows through shifting behavior, mood changes, escalating doses, and visible physical symptoms that signal when use is becoming unsafe and needs attention. And by all means, avoid the sugar snacks that you’ll crave once you start detoxing. Get in the habit of eating every three hours to avoid hunger that could lead to alcohol cravings, which will become more intense once the alcohol shakes set in. When you drink alcohol, your body responds by decreasing the number or sensitivity of receptors that bind to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

• If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today.
• It’s vital to reach out to professionals and loved ones for support, ensuring that you take the necessary steps to manage your symptoms safely and confidently.
• Seeking care from addiction specialists can help manage alcohol shakes effectively, ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment for alcohol shakes based on their specific needs.
• This phase involves supervised withdrawal in a controlled environment, such as a hospital or a specialized detox center.

What’s the Difference Between Habit and Addiction

Bella Monte Recovery Center offers comprehensive support and treatment, guiding clients towards lasting recovery. Attempting to detox from alcohol at home can be both overwhelming and dangerous. Medical treatment options for alcohol shakes how to stop alcohol shakes are vital in ensuring a safe withdrawal process.

Distinguishing Between Minor Shakes and Delirium Tremens

The symptoms can range from mild to severe and potentially life-threatening. Recovering alcoholics who have been sober for one year can find themselves experiencing alcohol shakes at random times during the day. In addition to adopting healthy lifestyle choices, people with alcohol tremors often take propranolol to control tremors. Alcohol-induced tremors, commonly referred to as “the shakes,” are rooted in the profound effects that alcohol has on the central nervous system (CNS). When an individual consumes alcohol regularly, the CNS becomes accustomed to its depressant effects.

Professional Support During Withdrawal and Beyond

This can cause alterations in the brain’s neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, resulting in shaking after drinking. Also, as you age, the body’s ability to get rid of alcohol and other toxins might decrease, causing more severe and long-lasting symptoms. By managing alcohol tremors within a medical detox program, individuals can safely navigate the withdrawal process, minimize discomfort, and lay the foundation for long-term recovery.

• These involuntary movements are a physical manifestation of the body’s response to the absence of alcohol after a period of heavy and prolonged consumption.
• Joining support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), can provide valuable emotional support as you navigate alcohol withdrawal.
• Imagine your hands or, in severe cases, your whole body trembling uncontrollably.

During prolonged alcohol use, the body compensates for the depressant effects of alcohol by increasing the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters. Once alcohol intake is reduced or stopped, the sudden lack of its inhibitory effect leads to a hyper-excitable state, manifesting as shakes, agitation, and other withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a significant factor in the development of detox shakes.

Early Symptoms (6-24 hours after last drink)

• Unless these two brain areas are functioning properly, a person may experience tremors or even seizures they cannot control.
• Approximately 4-5% of individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal experience DTs, particularly those who have been heavy drinkers over many years.
• How long alcohol shakes last during alcohol withdrawal is influenced by factors such as the amount and duration of alcohol use, as well as individual metabolism.
• Whether you have questions or just need someone to guide you, our compassionate team is here to help 24/7.

Medication-assisted treatments, such as benzodiazepines, can heroin addiction help ease withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the severity, someone undergoing professional detox may opt for residential treatments or outpatient options. As anyone who has done it before knows, uncontrollable shakes are part of the experience. With early intervention and the right support, there’s hope to manage and overcome these tremors.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency is a silent but severe consequence of alcoholism, often manifesting as neurological symptoms, including tremors. Thiamine is vital for energy metabolism in nerve cells, and its depletion can lead to irreversible damage. A typical dose ranges from 100–300 mg daily, but severe deficiencies may require higher doses under medical guidance. Incorporating thiamine-rich foods like whole grains, legumes, and fortified cereals can complement supplementation, though dietary intake alone is often insufficient during recovery.

Our staff is prepared to help you focus on your physical health, so the detox process is as comfortable as possible. If you’re in Georgia and seeking help for alcohol withdrawal, it’s essential to choose a program that adopts a whole-person approach. Treatment shouldn’t only address physical symptoms but also cater to emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. Ultimately, the best way to stop alcohol shakes is to get the medications that are known to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms effectively. This is the best and most effective way to stop the alcohol shakes and have relief during withdrawal. When it comes to the duration of alcohol shakes, it can be different for everyone.

How Do Partial Hospitalization Programs For Addiction Treatment Work?

Alcohol shakes can happen from both alcohol withdrawal and from excessive alcohol consumption. Anti-seizure medications, such as carbamazepine or gabapentin, are increasingly used as alternatives to benzodiazepines, especially in patients at risk for dependence. Carbamazepine, for instance, stabilizes neuronal membranes and reduces the risk of seizures, with a common regimen of 200 mg twice daily, gradually increased to 400 mg twice daily. Gabapentin, often dosed at 300–600 mg three times daily, has shown promise in reducing withdrawal symptoms, including shakes, though it is not FDA-approved for this use. These medications are generally well-tolerated but require monitoring for side effects like dizziness or drowsiness. Proper hydration plays a vital role in managing alcohol shakes and withdrawal symptoms effectively.