Alcohol Shakes: Causes and How to Stop Tremors

Many individuals who drink heavily will experience alcohol shakes, also known as tremors either during a hangover or as part of withdrawal. When this happens, the involuntary movements should not be ignored. Alcohol shakes can be an alarming indication that an individual should seek treatment or even medical help, as it could be a sign of something serious.

Tremors are involuntary movements and muscle contractions that result in shaking. They most often affect the hands. But, they can also impact the head, arms, and rest of the body. Shakes occur due to the nervous system’s reaction to alcohol. When the effects of alcohol wear off on the nervous system, the brain becomes overwhelmed with activity from the nervous system. This can cause the brain to send incorrect messages, resulting in shakes.

Prolonged alcohol abuse can damage both the brain and nervous system, disrupting signals from the brain to the muscles and nerves. When this happens, it may be an indication of a deeper issue. Alcohol shakes most often occur in those who suffer from alcoholism. The more regularly they occur, the more concern an individual should have on the impact of alcohol on their body.

Alcohol shakes often start anywhere between 6 to 12 hours after drinking. The most important thing to do to prevent the shakes is stay hydrated. The body is depleted of hydration the more an individual consumes alcohol in one sitting. Dehydration is a serious concern in individuals suffering from alcoholism.

Hydration flushes the toxins from the body, helping to alleviate the shakes. But, while this may alleviate them, this should not be where the treatment ends.

There are treatment options available to those who experience alcohol shakes including outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and detox programs. Behavioral Health Centers treats all individuals suffering from alcohol abuse to eliminate their use of alcohol and heal their body and mind.

Alcohol withdrawal shakes can occur within 6-8 hours after an individual’s last drink. Withdrawal shakes are most common in binge drinkers and people who consume alcohol more frequently. Tremors associated with alcohol withdrawal can be severe and are best handled with medical care professionals. Detox programs allow individuals to safely withdraw from alcohol by offering medical professionals on staff to address any concerns, like alcohol shakes, when an individual is in recovery.

Alcohol tremors, or shakes, usually start a few hours after an individual’s last drink. The level of intensity and how long they last can vary from person to person. Body type, weight, gender, amount of alcohol consumption, and frequency of consumption all impact how a person’s body will react to shakes and for how long. Most often, shakes intensify within 24 to 48 hours and calm down 5-7 days after drinking. Some individuals may not experience relief from the shakes for weeks. In some cases, it could be months.

While hangover shakes are not often life-threatening, they should be recognized and addressed. Individuals should ensure that they are well hydrated to help relieve the shakes. The body may also experience deficiencies in nutrients post-drinking that should be addressed.

Not all hangover shakes are mild. Some may be a sign of alcohol withdrawal, alcohol dependency, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, or delirium tremens (DTs). Some of those could be severe for individuals experiencing shakes. In those cases, medical professionals may need to intervene.

If you or a loved one are experiencing shakes or tremors from alcohol, consider the many treatment options available. Behavioral Health Centers offers programs for those suffering from alcoholism including detox, outpatient treatment, and inpatient treatment. In addition, there are programs available that also aim to treat co-occurring mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.