Alcohol Detox at Home How to Detox from Alcohol Safely
Cautious tapering may take longer than medically supervised detox, but it will help you avoid major health problems. If you’re concerned that your tremors might be the result of withdrawal, it’s best to reach out to a healthcare professional. While you can usually manage alcohol withdrawal syndrome on your own, it can be quite uncomfortable. Plus, in some cases, it can involve more severe symptoms, like mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
- In some mild cases, the tremor may be light and hardly noticeable, but in the more severe cases, it may cause pain and other symptoms that can interfere with daily activities.
- It helps to keep busy with activities you find enjoyable and that promote health and well-being.
- Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that affects the central nervous system.
- As the brain adapts to a regular influx of alcohol, it seeks to overcome alcohol’s sedative effect by increasing nerve activity to keep the body in a heightened state of alertness.
- This leads to the brain drastically increasing its activity in order to maintain control.
- Your doctor may personally oversee your alcohol withdrawal, or he or she may refer you to an inpatient or outpatient treatment facility.
Usually, alcohol shakes occur in the hands, making it difficult to perform simple tasks like writing or typing. Sometimes called “hangover shakes,” this involuntary movement is not usually dangerous itself but may relate to bigger issues caused by chronic alcohol use. It’s not wise to try and stop using alcohol on your own if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
More Questions about Treatment?
Alcohol tremors are involuntary shaking/trembling of one or more parts of the body. Alcohol tremors are a response to alcohol withdrawal or alcohol use disorder/alcoholism. Alcohol shakes are typically present in the hands, but they may also appear in the arms or legs. The more your physical and mental health improves, the less likely you are to experience tremors or other residual withdrawal symptoms, and the greater quality of life you will enjoy.
Safely withdrawing from alcohol – Alcohol and Drug Foundation
Safely withdrawing from alcohol.
Posted: Thu, 02 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Alcohol withdrawal shakes can be scary, but reducing your stress and anxiety can help quite a bit. While they normally go away on their own, if your shakes are severe or don’t stop, talk to your doctor right away. Just be cautious when starting a new medication since it’s very easy https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to get addicted to withdrawal medications, especially when you’re quitting alcohol. To reduce your stress during withdrawal, try doing some light exercise, like going for a walk or riding your bike. You might also try journaling or spending some time with a supportive friend.
Treatment
There are other causes of tremors due to alcohol but typically, it’s rooted in the brain. While liver disease from alcohol can cause asterixis, a condition which causes the hand to “flap,” this is usually a rarity. While alcohol shakes can be both scary and uncomfortable, in the situation of someone who does not suffer from AUD, they usually subside. With that being said, drinking to the point of inducing shakes is an unhealthy behavior and can be a sign of alcohol dependence. Take the time to self-reflect upon your drinking habits to discern whether or not you have a problem.
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. Your body needs to work through this withdrawal process, which often requires no longer using alcohol at all. Not all of the side effects are guaranteed, and some may be more severe than others. If you how to stop alcohol shakes experience any of them, however, you should also seek medical attention right away. Once the withdrawal symptoms kick in, you’ll want to keep yourself busy with books, movies, games, or whatever will help you stay distracted from how you’re feeling. The alcohol shakes and other symptoms will be lessened the more you’re able to flush the toxins out of your system.
Alcohol Withdrawal Requires Professional Help
As you begin to notice those health benefits, you’ll likely feel more energized and inspired to keep up your progress. It’s common to have a difficult time when making big changes, but good self-care practices can help you manage overwhelming feelings and take care of your mind and body. You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference. Get in the habit of eating every three hours to avoid hunger that could lead to alcohol cravings, which will become more intense once the alcohol shakes set in. Focus on a diet full of lean proteins like fish, chicken, lean meats, beans, lentils, nuts and nut butters, and nonfat dairy products. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits (be sparing with fruit as it’s high in sugar).
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. Since the shakes are a symptom of withdrawal, these same medications will stop the shakes or tremors pretty quickly. If alcohol use is suddenly stopped, the brain is left with too little of the calming neurotransmitter and too much of the stimulating chemical. 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.