Alcohol withdrawal shakes, or “tremors,” are a common problem for people who stop drinking heavily. About 40-50% of heavy drinkers experience this, according to the Mayo Clinic. These shakes can start 6-24 hours after the last drink and can last for days, says the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The body is used to alcohol, so it shakes when alcohol is taken away. Getting medical help for withdrawal management and following healthy habits can help reduce these shakes.
What is Good for Alcohol Withdrawal?
There are certain treatments prescribed by legitimate health practitioners. We are listing them down only for informational purposes. We do not encourage or allow any self-medication based on this listed information.
The purpose of this information is to motivate you to get the right help and let you know there is a light on the other side of this dark tunnel.
Treatment | Details | Source |
Benzodiazepines | These medications help reduce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and seizures. Common examples include diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). | [Cleveland Clinic] |
Hydration | Ensuring adequate fluid intake is crucial to prevent dehydration, which can worsen withdrawal symptoms. | [WebMD] |
Nutritional Support | Vitamins and minerals, especially thiamine (Vitamin B1), folic acid, and magnesium, are essential for recovery. | [Cleveland Clinic] |
Anticonvulsants | These medications, such as carbamazepine and valproate, can help manage seizures but are generally used when benzodiazepines are not effective or suitable. | [UpToDate] |
Beta-Blockers | These can help control cardiovascular symptoms like high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. | [NCBI] |
Clonidine | This medication can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. | [AAFP] |
Symptom Monitoring | Regular check-ups to monitor symptoms and adjust treatment as necessary. | [WebMD] |
Supportive Care | Psychological support and counseling to address the emotional and mental aspects of withdrawal. | [Cleveland Clinic] |
Ambulatory Management | For mild withdrawal, treatment can be managed in an outpatient setting with regular monitoring by healthcare professionals. | [AAFP] |
Inpatient Treatment | Severe cases require hospitalization to manage symptoms and prevent complications safely. | [UpToDate] |
How Do You Get Rid of After Drinking Shakes?
If you’re feeling shaky after stopping drinking, you might be experiencing something called alcohol withdrawal shakes. This is a common symptom when someone who drinks a lot suddenly stops. Here’s how you can deal with it:
- First things first, drinking lots of water can help your body flush out toxins. Dehydration can make shaking worse.
- Eat only healthy foods. Nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and proteins can give your body the necessary vitamins and minerals to recover.
- Your body needs time to heal. Try to get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Sometimes, alcohol withdrawal can be serious. If your shakes are accompanied by other symptoms like confusion or severe anxiety, it’s important to get medical help. Doctors can provide medications and sessions to help manage mental health symptoms.
- At all costs, you need to avoid caffeine and sugar. These can make shaking worse. Stick to water, herbal teas, and well-balanced meals.
- Light physical activity or exercise can help reduce anxiety and improve your mood, which may help with shaking.
Just remember, talking to a healthcare professional is a good idea to find out how to stop shakes from alcohol withdrawal when the symptoms are hard to manage on your own.
How Do You Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Tremors in Youth?
For young people between the ages of 12-20 in America struggling with alcohol withdrawal tremors, the treatment needs to be carefully tailored. Roughly 7.5 million youths in the U.S. drink alcohol, with about 4.3 million engaging in binge drinking. A supportive environment is crucial to helping them.
Therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can teach them how to handle cravings and anxiety. Sometimes, doctors might give medications like benzodiazepines in a safe, controlled way to ease symptoms. Peer support groups specifically for teens, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for young folks, can provide emotional support and lessen feelings of being alone.
It’s also helpful to give them vitamin supplements, like thiamine and folic acid, to fix any nutritional gaps caused by drinking. Involving family in the treatment can create a solid support system, and regular check-ups with doctors ensure that the treatment is working well and can be adjusted as needed.
How to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol in Old Age?
Well, if you are pondering how to stop the shakes from alcohol withdrawal? Then, coping with alcohol withdrawal symptoms in older adults requires special care. In the U.S., about 10-15% of people over 60 drink more than the recommended amount. For treating withdrawal, doctors might use safe medications like benzodiazepines to manage symptoms.
Therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and advanced behavioral health services can help by teaching older adults how to deal with cravings and stress. A calm and supportive home environment is very important; family members should be involved in care.
Another thing is that when you ensure good nutrition and hydration, vitamins like thiamine and folic acid can help fix any nutritional problems. Regular medical check-ups help to monitor progress and adjust treatments as needed. Support groups for older adults can offer comfort and shared experiences, which are important for emotional health during recovery.
How We Can Help
When People are putting their efforts into saying goodbye to alcohol but are still stuck in finding ways how to stop alcohol withdrawal shakes, we help them! It’s a matter of fact that alcohol and other drug addictions will not leave addicted bodies and minds in the same normal condition. Those people need external support to get rid of such enemies. In that time of need, Lawrence Medical Center stands with the sufferers!