“Shakes” or tremors are involuntary muscle movements that are a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal. They can appear when someone stops or significantly reduces long-term, heavy alcohol use. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reports that an estimated 32.5% of emergency department visits are alcohol-related and that 2-7% of those admitted to the hospital with heavy alcohol use will experience moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening if not managed correctly. This blog will explain what alcohol withdrawal is and how to stop shakes from alcohol withdrawal.
Understanding Shakes from Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. During withdrawal, the body is reacting to the absence of alcohol, which causes it to overcompensate and create shakes. Shakes can appear as quickly as six hours after the last drink and can last up to 72 hours in more severe cases. Other symptoms are likely to present, such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, sweating, and nausea. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is called delirium tremens (DT), which can produce the symptoms already mentioned and can add some additional ones, such as disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and tremors.
How to Safely Stop Shakes from Alcohol Withdrawal
Unfortunately, there is no instant fix for the shakes; a person’s body needs to work through the process. However, because alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider during withdrawal to ensure a safe detox. Detox programs usually start with a stabilization phase, move to evaluation and assessment, and finally transition into ongoing care for long-term recovery.
Stabilization
Detox is usually done in one of two ways: immediately, or by tapering (gradually reducing alcohol consumption over time). Some medications can help ease or stop shakes and other symptoms from alcohol withdrawal; this is called Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Supervised detox programs can be extremely helpful during detox because they provide ongoing monitoring and support should any severe withdrawal symptoms appear.
Evaluation and Assessment
An assessment is important to help treatment professionals understand the substances involved, the level of a person’s addiction, and if any co-occurring disorders need attention. This will help create a foundation for a personalized treatment plan.
Ongoing Care
Once a person completes the detox phase, they will move to the next stage of treatment, which could be inpatient care or a residential program, or they might move on to comprehensive therapy and other rehab programs. Transitioning from each stage should be done planfully and with the goal of long-term recovery in mind.
Things You Can Do to Stop Shakes From Alcohol Withdrawal
In addition to getting professional help, there are some things you or your loved one can do to better manage shakes brought on by alcohol withdrawal. Nutrition and hydration, especially foods rich in nutrients such as fruits and vegetables, can help replenish the body. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, basic yoga to calm the nervous system, and deep breathing can help. Finally, avoiding stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine will help prevent the tremors from worsening.
Pinnacle Recovery and Detox
While shakes and other symptoms from alcohol withdrawal can be scary for both the person experiencing them and their loved ones, they can be managed with the right care and support. No matter how severe the situation may feel, recovery is possible through addiction treatment programs, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention and aftercare planning.
Our compassionate therapists and treatment professionals help our patients achieve long-term recovery. If you or a loved one are ready to take the next steps in your sobriety journey, reach out to us today. We are ready to join you in creating a personalized treatment plan, tailored to your lived experiences, and will help you achieve the future you deserve.
