Are Alcohol Tremors Dangerous?

Drinking can have many effects on your body and life. If you develop a chronic drinking problem, you may find yourself experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop. This can bring about several symptoms, including alcohol tremors.

Alcohol tremors can happen outside of withdrawal, and if you notice them, it may point towards bigger issues related to your relationship with alcohol. Addressing the potential dangers of alcohol tremors is important if you want to live a life free of addiction and alcohol.

What Are Alcohol Tremors?

An alcohol tremor is a kind of shaking that happens when someone who drinks a lot of alcohol stops drinking. The person’s hands or other parts of their body might start to shake. This shaking happens because their body is getting used to not having alcohol. It can be a sign that they are going through alcohol withdrawal, which is when their body is reacting to the lack of alcohol.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal & Alcohol Tremors

Alcohol withdrawal is the name for the experience you go through once you stop drinking. It is also known as alcohol detox.

Alcohol tremors are one of many symptoms you may suffer from, and it is impossible to predict how bad your withdrawal will be. Withdrawal is a broad spectrum, and tremors alone will not help you predict what symptoms you will experience.

In some cases, alcohol tremors can be barely noticeable, and in others, they may drastically affect day-to-day life. They are likely to last the whole of the withdrawal process – between 1 and 2 weeks.

Are Alcohol Tremors Dangerous?

Alcohol tremors are, in most cases, not dangerous. You may get them the morning after drinking, known as hangover shakes, and they disappear after a while. They could be caused by dehydration, poor nutrition and your nerves and muscles going into hyperactivity after being depressed by alcohol.

However, this physical symptom can point to more serious issues – especially if you are experiencing them when not going through withdrawal.

How to Recognise Alcohol Tremors

Alcohol tremors are when parts of your body, most commonly your hands, shake uncontrollably. These can be spasms in your muscles or more noticeable tremors.

The tremor may be that you can feel it, but it can’t be noticed. They may come on when you are more active with your arms or when you are at rest. Other symptoms can include difficulty holding things, struggling to write or draw, and your voice quavering when you speak.

If you begin to notice tremors a few hours after your last drink, this is most likely a sign you are suffering from withdrawal.

Common Health Issues Associated with Alcohol Tremors

There are many dangers of alcohol tremors and health issues related to them.

• Brain Damage: Tremors can occur independent of withdrawal if your drinking has caused brain damage. Drinking heavily can affect the cerebellum. This is the part of your brain that is responsible for controlling your motor functions. Beyond the alcohol tremors, damage to your cerebellum will cause poor coordination and balance, muscle weakness, numbness, and make you unsteady on your feet.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: This is a neurological disorder where tremors can be a symptom. It is also known as “wet brain” and occurs when alcohol results in you having a thiamine deficiency. Without thiamine, your body loses energy and function. Untreated, Wernicke’s will result in mental decline, the inability for memory to function properly and eventually prove fatal.
• Liver Disease: Advanced liver disease can cause hand shaking, which is called asterixis. This happens when liver disease progresses to cause hepatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder. Toxins build up in the brain, resulting in mood changes, problems with motor control, and a flapping-like tremor.

Alcohol Tremors as a Sign of Severe Withdrawal

We’ve talked about alcohol tremors being a symptom of withdrawal. They can also be an indication of a serious withdrawal symptom called delirium tremens.

DTs are potentially fatal if left untreated. The tremors you experience could be a sign of seizures, and if combined with confusion, anxiety, psychosis, sweating and fast heart rate, then you might be going through the DTs.

About 5% to 10% of people with an alcohol addiction will develop delirium tremens.

Other Common Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

There are any number of symptoms you could experience. Some of the more common ones, besides tremors, include:

• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Restlessness

What Treatment Options Are There for Alcohol Tremors?

If you want to manage your alcohol tremors or are struggling with withdrawal, it may be time for professional help.

Rehabs, like us at Asana Lodge, offer treatments to help you overcome your alcohol addiction. Hopefully, doing this will ease your alcohol tremors and other health issues. With us, you will take part in a comprehensive treatment programme that is effective at dealing with all levels of addiction.

Easing Symptoms With Alcohol Detox Treatment

Detoxing from alcohol is the process of flushing the harmful toxins from your body. You do this by either stopping or gradually reducing your alcohol intake, depending on the situation. As explained, this will bring on alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which very often include some level of alcohol tremors. In residential treatment addiction, you can go through a detoxification programme that works to ease your symptoms and make you as comfortable as possible.

During detox, you will be under expert care and may be administered medication to help ease your withdrawal symptoms. Completing detoxification in such an environment decreases the risk of relapse and is the safer option if you experience more severe symptoms such as delirium tremens.

Preventative Measures and Coping Mechanisms

You may be in a place where you don’t think rehab is required. Many people are in the same boat and go through withdrawal at home. This can be difficult, but there are things you can do to help you avoid severe withdrawal symptoms and better manage the symptoms you might experience.

• Lean on Your Support Network: Make your GP aware you are going through withdrawal at home. Also, reach out to friends and family so they can check on you at points and give you support when you need it.
• Hydrate: Alcohol tremors can be caused by dehydration, so drinking a lot of water is good for you. Alcohol deprives your body of water, and your body needs it to function efficiently. Also, cut down on caffeine.
• Try to Eat Well: Alcohol tremors can be caused by vitamin deficiencies. Eating a well-balanced diet during withdrawal can help equalise blood sugar levels, give you more energy, and help your muscle and nerve function.

If you find yourself recognising alcohol withdrawal symptoms that are more serious, then you should contact medical professionals. If you begin to experience hallucinations, seizures and confusion as well as tremors, then you should seek immediate help – your addiction is more severe than you think.

Reach Out to Us Today

So, are alcohol tremors dangerous? The answer is yes, they can be. Even as a part of withdrawal, tremors can be much more serious than just being a nuisance. Out of the context of alcohol withdrawal, alcohol tremors can point towards serious health issues.

If you or someone you know are going through alcohol withdrawal or are worried about alcohol tremors, then contact the team here at Asana Lodge today. We are a private alcohol rehab that can provide you with the help and support you need.

Get in touch now at 01908489421.