That source can often be a medication prescribed by doctors to treat alcoholism and related symptoms, such as withdrawal shakes. Discuss this possibility with your doctor and talk about what you can both do to prevent it. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications how to stop alcohol shakes that are used to treat many of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including tremors. These are serious medications, and your doctor likely won’t prescribe them to you in your initial stages, or if you’re taking them outside of an inpatient facility.

To overcome the sedative effect of alcohol, the brain responds by increasing nerve activity to keep the body in a heightened state of alertness. When the intake of alcohol suddenly ceases, the brain continues to deliver increased nerve activity, leading to tremors, anxiety, hyperactivity, and other withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is common, but delirium tremens only occurs in 5% of people who have alcohol withdrawal. Delirium tremens is dangerous, killing as many as 1 out of every 20 people who develop its symptoms. Medicines called benzodiazepines can lessen alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Commonly used medicines in this group include chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam .

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Alcohol withdrawal shakes can be uncomfortable and frightening, but fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage this symptom. During this time, your doctor can help you reduce withdrawal tremors with medications. Anxiety and stress can make tremors worse, so managing your stress levels during withdrawal and recovery is also important. Because delirium tremens symptoms can be life-threatening, it’s often recommended that individuals quitting alcohol undergo a medically-monitored alcohol detox. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually peak within one to two days and usually abate within four days, although some people develop protracted alcohol withdrawal syndrome that can persist up to a year. Despite this current understanding of the mechanisms underlying AW syndrome, some controversies still exist regarding the risk, complications, and clinical management of withdrawal.

• The more people in your personal network that you trust to support your journey, the more likely you are to be successful.
• Other symptoms of DTs include agitation, hallucinations, high blood pressure, fever, and seizures.
• Treating your addiction is important to understand the underlying causes and to restore your mental and physical health.
• The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised (CIWA–Ar) (Sullivan et al. 1989; Foy et al. 1988).

Eating a healthy diet while you are going through withdrawal may also help aid in digestion and energy levels. This may be helpful for combating withdrawal symptoms such as stomach upset and feelings of fatigue. A healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms.

What causes alcohol shakes?

After detox, continue to drink the recommended daily amount of water to energize body, improve kidney function, and improve bowel function. If your shakes last longer than 24 hours, or if you’re concerned that they might be a sign of withdrawal, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If you have an alcohol dependency problem and have decided to stop drinking, call your doctor for help. Your doctor can advise you and can prescribe medicines to make withdrawal symptoms more tolerable if they occur. Your doctor can also put you in touch with local resources that will help you to stay alcohol free. If you have a sibling or parent with alcoholism, then you are three or four times more likely than average to develop alcoholism.

If you find yourself struggling with relapse, please reach out to someone in your support system or sponsor. It’s crucial to maintain a routine and hobbies to occupy the time that would otherwise be spent on drinking. Try avoiding individuals who will enable you to drink as your environment should reflect the life you want to live. Brittany has been working in behavioral health since 2012 and is the Assistant Clinical Director at our facility. She has great experience with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health diagnoses as well as various therapeutic techniques. Brittany is passionate about treating all clients with dignity and respect, and providing a safe environment where clients can begin their healing journey in recovery.

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This article discusses some of the common withdrawal symptoms and what helps with alcohol withdrawal. It also covers some of the different treatment options that are available. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. If you repeatedly shake after drinking too much, it could be a sign of alcohol withdrawal too. Talk to a doctor or addiction treatment professional to assess whether you need help.

The craving for alcohol will be a persistent challenge during withdrawal. There will be multiple points throughout the process where you will be tempted to have a drink. It’s helpful to think of your craving as a wave; Cravings build, peak, crash and then dissipate. The point is that eventually, your craving will go away — the wave will crash.

For Patients

This creates a state of temporary confusion and leads to dangerous changes in the way your brain regulates your circulation and breathing. The body’s vital signs such as your heart rate or blood pressure can change dramatically or unpredictably, creating a risk of heart attack, stroke or death. For your mental and physical health, turn to the professionals at South Miami Recovery for help overcoming your addiction to alcohol or drugs. You deserve to enjoy true freedom from active substance dependency, so you can live a safer and healthier life. Unfortunately, you will find a lot of advice on how to get rid of alcohol shakes, including rehydrating, taking vitamins or herb supplements, and eating a well-balanced diet. In reality, though, you need professional supervision to manage all of your withdrawal symptoms, as they could be life threatening if not handled appropriately.