Alcohol shakes happen due to hyperexcitability in the nervous system that occurs when alcohol’s depressant effects are removed. They range in severity and can be a sign of a bad hangover, physical addiction, or a medical emergency. Learn more about them and how to find out if you’re in danger.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol shakes occur as the body adjusts from the depressant effects of alcohol, going into a state of hyperexcitability.
- They are a common hangover symptom, but can escalate into serious complications with chronic use, especially when accompanied by symptoms like severe confusion, hallucinations, fever, racing heart rate, spiking blood pressure, and severe agitation.
- Severe tremors should be treated as a medical emergency. However, recurring, moderate tremors are also a cause for concern, as they could be a sign of physical dependence.
Table of Contents
- What Causes Alcohol Shakes?
- What Are the Different Types of Alcohol Shakes?
- When Do Alcohol Tremors Appear?
- Who Is at Risk?
- How Can I Tell If Alcohol Shakes Are Mild or Dangerous?
- When Do Shakes Signal a Medical Emergency?
- How Does Medical Detox Reduce Risks?
- BlueCrest Detox Offers Comprehensive Alcohol Addiction Treatment
- FAQs
Introduction
Have you ever noticed trembling hands after a night of drinking alcohol? Some people shrug them off as the sign of a bad hangover, and that’s often what they are. But in more serious cases, they can be an early warning sign of physical dependency or a medical emergency.
This article will explain the different types of alcohol shakes so you know when it’s time to get help for yourself or a loved one.
What Causes Alcohol Shakes?
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and increases the activity of GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) in the brain. With chronic alcohol consumption, the body becomes accustomed to functioning with high levels of GABA and glutamate (the brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter) and dials down its natural calming abilities.
When alcohol use suddenly stops or slows down, the brain goes into a state of hyperexcitability and is unable to regulate on its own. Tremors are a common side effect, rooted in neuroadaptation, making it more concerning than other hangover symptoms like dehydration and low blood sugar.
What Are the Different Types of Alcohol Shakes?
Different types of alcohol shakes include hangover tremors, alcohol withdrawal tremors, and tremors related to long-term damage. They range in severity as follows:
- Hangover Tremors: Mild and short-lived, these tremors are typically related to low blood sugar and dehydration and go away within a few hours with hydration and rest.
- Alcohol Withdrawal Tremors: These are an early sign of alcohol dependence and are often linked to chronic consumption. They are more pronounced than hangover tremors and tend to be accompanied by symptoms like sweating, racing pulse, and anxiety.
- Tremors from Long-Term Alcohol Use Disorder: These tremors are a sign of damage to the peripheral nerves and cerebellum (a part of the brain that coordinates movement).
When Do Alcohol Tremors Appear?
Alcohol shakes typically begin 5 to 12 hours after the last drink and peak within 24 to 72 hours. Individuals may experience lingering symptoms for days or weeks after, as they enter the protracted phase.
Who Is at Risk?
Withdrawal-related shakes are more likely to occur in people who meet the clinical threshold for heavy drinking, defined as five or more drinks per day (15+ per week) for men and four or more drinks per day (8+ per week) for women. Risk increases with:
- A longer history of consistent, heavy drinking
- A prior history of alcohol withdrawal or detox
- Age over 65
- Co-occurring conditions like liver disease, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance
- A previous history of withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens DTS
A PubMed study reveals that about half of people experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms (including tremors) after stopping or cutting back on drinking. Severe tremors appear in 2-8% of the population, leading to hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens.
How Can I Tell If Alcohol Shakes are Mild or Dangerous?
You can tell if alcohol shakes are mild or dangerous based on the severity of the tremors and accompanying symptoms. Clinicians use tools like the CIWA-Ar scale to rank tremors as follows:
- Mild to Moderate: Tremors are accompanied by anxiety, sweating, and insomnia. While uncomfortable, symptoms are manageable without hospitalization.
- Severe: Tremors are accompanied by hallucinations, seizures, confusion, and disorientation, signaling medical treatment is necessary.
When Do Shakes Signal a Medical Emergency?
Tremors are generally a medical emergency when they escalate into delirium tremens or seizures.
Delirium tremens is considered the most severe alcohol withdrawal symptom. It is characterized by profound confusion, disorientation, vivid hallucinations, fever, racing heart, and dangerously high blood pressure. If left untreated, mortality rates are as high as 35%, but that dips to 5% with proper medical care.
Seizures are also extremely dangerous symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and can happen without warning within two days of the last drink, even in people who haven’t exhibited extreme tremors.
Warning signs that a person has crossed over into emergency medical territory include severe withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Confusion or disorientation about time, place, or person
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- A seizure, or any loss of consciousness
- Fever, a rapid heart rate, or spiking blood pressure
- Severe agitation that seems to be escalating rather than easing
How Does Medical Detox Reduce Risks?
Medical detox is a preventative measure for individuals at risk of elevated symptoms related to alcohol shakes. Clinicians oversee the process and monitor symptoms to prevent them from escalating. Benzodiazepines are often used to control alcohol withdrawal syndrome, replacing alcohol to provide a calming effect and preventing hyperexcitability in the nervous system.
BlueCrest Detox Offers Comprehensive Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol addiction impacts relationships, finances, and quality of life, and it can be deadly. But you don’t have to let it get to that point. BlueCrest Detox is here to help.
We address the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, ensuring a safe early recovery. Our team then provides a seamless transition to rehab, addressing the underlying causes of dependency issues with evidence-based approaches that improve emotional stability. Our comprehensive care guides long-term recovery.
Contact us to learn more about achieving a higher quality of life.
FAQs
Is it normal to have shaky hands after drinking?
Mild shakiness is normal after a single episode of heavy alcohol intake. However, it can be concerning when accompanied by other withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, racing heart, or anxiety, which could indicate physical dependence.
How long do alcohol shakes last?
Mild alcohol shakes typically last just a few hours. More severe tremors appear 5 to 12 hours after the last drink and peak within 24 to 72 hours. They may linger for days or weeks before full remission.
What’s the difference between alcohol shakes and delirium tremens?
Shakes are one withdrawal symptom. When serious, they can escalate into delirium tremens and coexist as part of DTs.
When should I see a medical professional for alcohol shakes?
Any tremor accompanied by confusion, hallucinations, seizures, rapid heartbeat, or fever can be a life-threatening medical emergency. However, if you are experiencing mild recurring tremors, you may consider speaking to a doctor, as this can be a common symptoms of physical dependence that can benefit from medical supervision.
Can alcohol shakes go away on their own?
Yes, mild alcohol shakes typically resolve in a few hours. However, more severe tremors, accompanied by serious symptoms, mean you should seek medical treatment before they escalate.
Sources
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
- Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: Outpatient Management. American Academy of Family Physicians. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0900/p253
- Alcohol Withdrawal. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/alcohol-withdrawal-a-to-z
- Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/
- Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment & Timeline. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/alcohol-withdrawal
- Delirium Tremens (DTs): Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/166032-overview
