18 Feb

What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Tremors?

Alcohol withdrawal tremors or shakes are one of the side effects of alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders. Unfortunately, there can be severe dangers associated with this withdrawal symptom. So, it is worthwhile to understand when you should seek professional help to reduce and prevent alcohol shakes and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. 

What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Tremors?

When alcohol reaches the brain, it alters naturally occurring chemical processes. It increases the release of endorphins, which brings about calming and euphoric effects. Alcohol also causes a decrease in GABA, another chemical that increases the calming and euphoric sensations.

The decrease is a side effect of an increase in the levels of endorphins. Another side effect caused by alcohol is an increase in the release of glutamate, another chemical responsible for controlling excitability. Due to the fluctuations in these natural chemicals, alcohol creates an imbalance. 

Once the effects of alcohol begin to wear off, the body cannot automatically switch back to normal chemical levels immediately. As a result, your brain is still releasing increased levels of glutamate while suffering from reduced endorphin levels and low GABA levels. Therefore, you can feel overly excited and restless, resulting in alcohol withdrawal tremors. 

Are Shaky Hands and Tremors Normal?

Shaky hands and tremors are typical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. People who binge drink can expect these symptoms and people struggling with alcohol use disorders. The longer you drink and the amount of alcohol you drink will affect the severity of shaky hands and tremors. 

Usually, shaky hands and tremors begin several hours after you stop drinking. However, they can last for several days. In addition, they can become worse until they peak. During this time, alcohol withdrawal also triggers other undesirable withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Hot and cold sweats
• Body aches and pains
• Elevated heart rate
• Seizures

Other Side Effects from Alcohol Withdrawal

Another potentially dangerous side effect experienced with alcohol withdrawal tremors is called DTs, or delirium tremens. DTs can occur within a few days after a period of heavy drinking. 

DTs can also occur if someone abruptly attempts to stop drinking when they are addicted to alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms like the DTs can be potentially life-threatening and increase the potency of other alcohol withdrawal symptoms. 

How to Get Rid of Shaky Hands and Tremors

It is not uncommon for many people to attempt to get rid of alcohol tremors and shakes on their own. For example, they may try to increase the amount of water they drink, take nutritional supplements, and try different calming exercises and meditation. 

While these things are a good idea to commit to after being fully detoxed from alcohol, they rarely do anything during alcohol withdrawal. One should never attempt to quit drinking “cold turkey” because you never know how severe the shakes, tremors, and withdrawal symptoms will be. Additionally, going through withdrawal alone can be scary and potentially life-threatening. 

Ideally, it is strongly recommended to seek professional supervised alcohol withdrawal and detox. Supervised detox ensures a health professional is monitoring your withdrawal symptoms and adjusting your detox treatment to minimize the severity of alcohol withdrawal tremors. 

Types of Help for Alcohol Abuse

There are several different types of help available for alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders. The first step in seeking help is supervised detox from alcohol. Once your body fully removes alcohol from your system, the brain can begin healing and restoring a natural balance of endorphins, GABA, and glutamate.

The next step is to determine whether you suffer from alcohol addiction. Some people can suffer from alcohol tremors from binge drinking who have not yet become dependent and addicted to alcohol. However, if you cannot control how much you drink when you start and always end up binge drinking, you will want to consider abstinence from alcohol and seek additional help. 

Other types of alcohol you can utilize for alcohol abuse and addiction include:

• Individual therapy
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 
• 12-Step programs
• Inpatient addiction treatment
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Partial hospitalization program
• Sober living facilities
• Peer support
• Group counseling
• Nutritional counseling
• Fitness training
• Practicing mindfulness

It is essential to remember each person will have their own specific needs. As a result, the types of help they need varies, and customized treatment options can fit their level of alcohol abuse or addiction.

At-Home Alcohol Detox in Beverly Hills, CA

When you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal tremors and shakes and want help to make them stop safely, supervised at-home alcohol tremor detox is available from MD Home Detox in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA.

We offer concierge-level at-home detox programs tailored to your specific needs that could include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to reduce the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. In addition, our medical professionals take the time to develop a detox treatment plan that is appropriate for you to detox at home safely. 

To learn more about our alcohol tremor and shakes detox programs and other alcohol use disorder help we can provide, please feel free to contact us today.