Symptoms of dehydration: What they are and what to do if you experience them

Symptoms of ARBD and ARBI include minor changes in your ability to think or remember things. Continued drinking with ARBD or ARBI puts you at risk for severe brain damage, including dementia. The association between alcohol shakes and DT (a nightmarish withdrawal symptom that can lead to death) boils down to seizures. Delirium tremens can produce seizures, withdrawal hallucinations, and in some cases it’ll slow the respiratory system to a crawl, leading to organ failure and, at times, a full system shutdown. In the case of the alcoholic dealing with shakes after cessation of drinking, what causes it is an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Now that alcohol is no longer in the picture, the brain and CNS can function properly.

• Research has found that these tremors peak 10 to 30 hours after the last drink and can last for days.
• And you need to drink a lot of it – though no more than 2 quarts every hour.
• Alcohol withdrawal may cause shakes when the effects of alcohol on the nervous system wear off, and the brain becomes overwhelmed by activity in the nervous system.
• And by all means, avoid the sugar snacks that you’ll crave once you start detoxing.
• A person can reduce their chance of hangover shakes by drinking less alcohol.

To reduce your stress during withdrawal, try doing some light exercise, like going for a walk or riding your bike. You might also try journaling or spending some time with a supportive friend. Mindful meditation is another great way to reduce your anxiety and help prevent cravings and future relapses. To learn how to find an inpatient detox center, read more from our Medical co-author. That’s why it’s essential to seek professional support when alcohol shakes begin. To avoid the more concerning symptoms—and to kick your alcohol dependence—it may be in your best interest to go through a medical detox program.

Common Causes of Alcohol Shakes

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, taking certain medications, have certain health or mental conditions or are under the age of 21, you should not drink, according to the NIAAA. Goals can help you stay on track, but sometimes one big goal feels too out of reach. Consider setting smaller goals for yourself — and celebrate them as you go. Rather than one overarching “I want to quit drinking” goal, start by telling yourself you’re going to cut back. American Addiction Centers recommend no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men, so keep that in mind as you’re setting a goal to cut back. What’s more, because tremors are a visible symptom, they can sometimes lead to feelings of embarrassment or anxiety.

While tremors aren’t life-threatening, they can be embarrassing or signal a bigger problem. Those experiencing alcohol shakes may be unable to perform everyday tasks and functions. While alcoholic shakes may be a common condition for those struggling with alcohol addiction or long-term alcohol use, they’re not something to be taken lightly.

Alcohol-Related Brain Damage Can Lead to Shaking

Delirium tremens occur in about 2% of people with alcohol dependence. Different from alcohol shakes, this condition may also cause agitation and hallucinations. Tremors are not always a sign of alcoholism, shaking from alcohol as there are many causes of tremors. Alcohol shakes are a symptom of the disorder when they occur with other signs of AUD. Eating healthy plays a significant role in a person’s successful recovery.

Inpatient treatment is when you are treated at a hospital or another professional setting that specifically handles alcohol withdrawal. Once the body is free of alcohol and alcohol shakes have subsided, an individual can begin addiction treatment. Detox alone is seldom enough to help those with a substance use disorder maintain abstinence long-term. Rather, detox should be followed by effective substance use disorder treatment. Along with alcohol shakes, withdrawal from alcohol causes a variety of physical symptoms which can range from unpleasant to medically dangerous. Once symptoms of alcohol-related brain damage occur, they will continue to worsen if drinking continues.

How Do You Get Rid of Alcohol Shakes?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Alcohol shakes are reduced when you flush the toxins out of your system. Staying hydrated also helps you feel better, sleep better, and feel full without consuming too many calories. Tremors usually begin within 5 to 10 hours after someone’s last drink.

• When your detox is complete, the easiest and most beneficial way to move forward may be to start inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment.
• Our recovery programs are based on decades of research to deliver treatment that really works.
• That’s why some alcoholics wake up shaky in the morning and need a drink to feel steady.
• Sometimes, hangover shakes can be a warning that more serious effects like DT might follow.
• Tremors usually begin after 5-10 hours of your last drink and can last up to 72 hours.