Alcohol Shakes: Am I an Alcoholic?
Alcohol shakes can be a sign that a person’s drinking has reached a perilous point. If you experience this symptom but don’t take steps to stop your alcohol use, you may face life-threatening consequences.
What are Alcohol Shakes?
Alcohol shakes are one of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that involve twitches and tremors. This shakiness is most common in the arms and hands, though it can also affect other parts of the body as well.
Alcohol withdrawal typically refers to those stopping after developing alcohol use disorder. While alcohol shakes can be part of this process, they aren’t limited to those actively trying to quit.
The experience that is commonly referred to as a hangover is actually a form of alcohol withdrawal. For people who drink infrequently, common withdrawal symptoms after a night of heavy drinking include headache, nausea, and dehydration. But for someone who has been drinking heavily for an extended period, “the morning after” may also include the alcohol shakes.
In extreme cases, the frequency and severity of alcohol shakes can cause people to start drinking as soon as they wake up, in an attempt to ease their tremors so they can function.
Are the Shakes from Alcohol Withdrawal Dangerous?
Alcohol shakes don’t necessarily pose a grave danger on their own – but they can be a sign that a person’s alcohol use has progressed to a dangerous point:
- Regular alcohol shakes often indicate chronic alcohol abuse, which may have caused other, less obvious damage. While liver disease is a known consequence, many don’t realize that symptoms may not appear until the damage is irreversible.
- If a person experiences alcohol shakes while trying to quit on their own, the distress from tremors and other withdrawal symptoms can overwhelm them, leading to a relapse into alcohol abuse.
- If a person experiences excessive shakiness while going through withdrawal, this can be a symptom of delirium tremens (which is commonly referred to as the DTs). The DTs are a set of particularly dangerous withdrawal symptoms that, if not treated, can be fatal. This underscores the importance of professional detoxification for people who have severe alcoholism.
Does it Mean I’m an Alcoholic if I Get the Shakes?
Alcohol shakes strongly suggest that a person has become addicted to alcohol. Anyone who develops this symptom may be in crisis, and they should consult with a healthcare provider. An addiction treatment expert or qualified professional can assess symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options.
How to Stop Alcohol Shakes?
The best ways to stop alcohol shakes are to either quit drinking or dramatically reduce the amount and frequency of your alcohol use.
If you have become addicted to alcohol, quitting drinking can be quite difficult – but it is by no means impossible. With the right treatment, you can stop alcohol use and develop the skills needed for successful, long-term recovery.
For many people who have developed alcohol use disorder, the path to recovery begins with detoxification, or detox:
- Detox is a short-term program offering medical and therapeutic support to protect your health and ease withdrawal discomfort.
- Alcohol detox usually lasts around five days, though the duration can vary based on individual factors.
- Once you have completed detox, you can transition directly into the next phase of your treatment. This can minimize your risk of immediate relapse and help you establish a strong foothold in early recovery.
After you have completed detox – or if you don’t need this service – your best next step may be inpatient rehab or an outpatient program.
- While you are in an inpatient rehab program, you will live at the treatment facility. Inpatient rehab offers 24/7 supervision and support, giving you a break from daily stress and distractions. A typical day includes therapies, support services, nutritious meals, and time for relaxation and reflection.
- At the outpatient level, you will only need to be at the facility while you are receiving treatment. When there are no sessions scheduled, you can return to your home or to a supportive residence. Depending on the program, you may be able to work part-time, take classes, or volunteer while in treatment.
Some people complete detox, transfer into inpatient rehab, then step down to an outpatient program for additional support before they transition out of care. Others only spend time in one or two of these programs. There is no “right way” to get help for alcoholism and overcome the alcohol shakes. All that matters is finding the path that’s right for you.
Contact Our Medical Alcohol Detox to Safely Withdraw Today
If alcohol shakes or other withdrawal symptoms have been preventing you from safely quitting drinking, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here for you.
Our full continuum of care includes medical detox, which can help you to rid your body of alcohol safely and with minimal discomfort. Our alcohol addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, also offers inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment options, so that you can learn how to live a healthier life, free from the constraints of compulsive alcohol abuse.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, visit our Contact Us page or call us today.
