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Another question I’m often asked by my patients is ‘are withdrawal symptoms a sign of alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence? ’ Many people use the terms alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder interchangeably, but they are not the same. However, when someone who experiences alcohol dependency suddenly quits drinking alcohol, the brain continues to work as if alcohol were still present in the body. If the shakes are due to alcohol withdrawal, seek out professional help. You may need medication to help you navigate the withdrawal process and keep you safe. Comprehensive addiction treatment is also needed to help you stop drinking for good.

Regardless of your pathway to recovery, your experience is valid, and you deserve to feel safe and supported. To connect with a physician to discuss your personal needs and goals, explore your treatment plan options today. Seeking support to change your relationship with alcohol is something to be proud of, and working with a physician and therapist is a great way to prioritize your health and safety. If in-person supervised alcohol detox is recommended due to the risk of alcohol withdrawal, you are not alone. After safely completing detox and reducing the risk of alcohol withdrawal, many people pursue longer-term care such as online alcohol treatment.

Symptoms of Alcohol Tremors

When blood sugar gets low, it can result in shaking, along with other hangover-like symptoms, including sweating and headaches. The timeframe can also vary from person to person, depending on how much alcohol is consumed and your body composition. If you drink frequently, you might experience more frequent shakes afterward. You might notice tremors and shakes mostly in your hands or fingers.

You are more likely to have DTs if you have moderate or severe alcohol use disorder (heavy or frequent alcohol use even if it causes physical or emotional harm). Nearly one-third of U.S. adults will have alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives, and it is estimated that about 1% of those people may get delirium tremens. If untreated, delirium tremens can cause severe symptoms including heart attack, stroke, and death. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when someone who has been drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an extended period of time suddenly stops drinking or reduces their intake.

What Are Alcohol Tremors?

Your doctor may also ask about your drinking habits and recent alcohol consumption. Your doctor needs this information to create a clear picture and treatment plan. If you drink enough alcohol to be considered a heavy drinker (especially if you’ve done it for 10 years or more), and you want to stop completely, talk to your doctor. Delirium tremens isn’t shaking from alcohol curable, but it can be treated to help you manage symptoms and avoid complications such as dehydration. Alcohol misuse can lead to neurological damage that can affect multiple areas of a person’s health and well-being. The best way to avoid the issue is to limit alcoholic consumption to 2 or fewer drinks per day for males and 1 or fewer for females.

The earlier a person gets treatment for DTs, the better the odds of survival and a positive outcome. One of the priorities in treating this condition is to lower nervous system activity. A healthcare provider will treat this using drugs that reduce how active your CNS is. The shakiness can be due to how your nervous system responds to the stress of the hangover. Low blood sugar can also contribute to tremors and shakes after drinking a lot and not eating and maintaining good hydration.

How Does Alcohol Affect Essential Tremor?

A health care provider who still is not sure if a tremor is essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease might order a dopamine transporter scan. This scan can help the provider tell the difference between the two types of tremor. The frequency and intensity of your tremors can depend on the severity of your alcohol drinking. Several treatment options and interventions can help a person recover from alcohol dependence. Once a person stops using alcohol, they can often experience recovery from symptoms, though in some cases, some damage may be permanent. While alcohol shakes are not life threatening, delirium tremens may also cause seizures and may lead to death without appropriate treatment.

Excessive drinking can also lead to high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia, according to the American Heart Association. Even without delirium tremens, a medically assisted alcohol detox – where you are surrounded by medically trained professionals – can help to mitigate and manage symptoms. Depending on the nature and severity of your alcohol withdrawal, you may be given prescription medication to help you too. Other than medication for reducing or preventing withdrawals, there is medication to help you stay abstinent from alcohol in the future, which you can choose from, once abstinence is established. Alcohol shakes can be an indication that delirium tremens may happen.

Once you stop alcohol intake, a doctor can address your specific symptoms. Doctors tailor specific treatments and alcohol abstinence programs to the individual. According to a 2017 review, muscle myopathy is common in alcohol use disorder. In addition, about 40 to 60 percent of people who experience chronic alcohol misuse also experience alcohol-related myopathy.

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