Generally, shaking after drinking is a result of changes in the nervous system that may be linked to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Long-term alcohol addiction may also cause brain damage, which can contribute to a noticeable tremor. In severe cases, liver damage from alcohol misuse can lead to a specific type of tremor known as asterixis.
Factors Influencing Shaking After Drinking
The more your physical and mental health improves, the less likely you are to experience withdrawal shakes or other residual withdrawal symptoms, and the greater quality of life you will enjoy. Alcohol withdrawal (alcohol withdrawal syndrome) is a range of symptoms that can happen if you stop or significantly reduce alcohol intake after long-term use. Even after the acute phase of alcohol withdrawal has passed and recovery has begun, some individuals may continue to experience residual shakes and tremors.
Risks and Complications
There are prescribed medications that can help ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including tremors. Ask your doctor if either benzodiazepines or baclofen may be appropriate to help manage withdrawal symptoms. But when a chronic drinker suddenly quits drinking, the brain continues to function as if alcohol were present. In this amped-up state, an individual will begin to feel the symptoms of withdrawal, such as tremors, anxiety, sweating, hyperactivity, an elevated heart rate, nausea and vomiting.
Treatment for shakes and alcoholism
- These symptoms may start a few hours or a few days after your last drink of alcohol.
- Our highly trained medical and clinical staff are able to manage your physical symptoms and discomfort while providing you with encouraging emotional support.
- Exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress with yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques can play an important role in reducing tremor frequency.
- It’s a journey that tests the limits of human endurance and resilience, and understanding it in its entirety is crucial for anyone standing at the threshold of recovery.
- During the most severe stage of alcohol withdrawal, the patient’s health decline is evident.
- Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the tests they recommend or used for you (or your loved one) and why.
These programs involve working with a team of mental health professionals in a group and individual setting. Any activity, from meditation to additional exercise, that reduces anxiety will help manage both alcoholic tremors and cravings. Healthier behaviors like these can make the transition to sobriety easier as the body adjusts to the alcohol leaving the system. Frequent or heavy drinking over time induces specific brain adaptations that increase NMDA receptor levels. These receptors control the excitatory portions of the brain system.
As anyone who has done it before knows, uncontrollable shakes are part of the experience. They are an unsettling reminder of the influence alcohol has on your body. With early intervention and the right support, there’s hope to manage and overcome these tremors.
It does this by producing naturally stimulating chemicals (such as serotonin or norepinephrine, which is a relative of adrenaline) in larger quantities than normal. You can anticipate insurance coverage for alcohol abuse treatment by filling out the free, confidential form at the bottom of this page. The main goal of treatment is to minimize your symptoms https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-headaches-why-does-alcohol-cause-migraines/ and prevent more severe ones like seizures or delirium, which could be fatal in some cases. The medical professional who evaluated your AWS symptoms may suggest daily follow-ups via telephone or video chat to check on your symptoms and progress. The likelihood of developing alcohol withdrawal increases with the amount and frequency of your alcohol intake.
Generally, shakes begin 6 to 8 hours after the last drink, peaking around 24 to 48 hours afterward. However, depending on the severity of the dependency and individual factors, they can persist for several days. It’s important to note that the intensity and duration of symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Treatment may be inpatient or outpatient, and typically includes individual and group therapy, family counseling, alcohol education, 12-step support, and support for physical or psychological needs. Co-occurring disorders are treated at the same time as alcohol recovery treatment.
Build a Support Group
These treatment programs can help reduce the risks of DTs and improve your chance of prolonged recovery. If you have alcohol use disorder and want help, a healthcare how to stop tremors from alcohol provider can guide you to resources and rehabilitation programs to help you quit. Know that your provider will be there to support you, not to judge you.
How To Reduce Alcohol Tremors in Recovering Alcoholics
- Sahil has utilized his experience by treating patients in both civilian and military settings.
- The process of examining underlying emotional pain or trauma, or managing a co-occurring mental health disorder, is what alcohol addiction treatment is all about.
- As the alcohol leaves your body, however, your central nervous system, along with part of your sympathetic nervous system, remains unbalanced.
- Meditation works by encouraging mindfulness and relaxation, easing your mind in times of stress.
