Did you know that 40% of people who seek recovery from substance use disorders enroll in alcohol-related recovery programs? Here in California, almost 17% of residents over the age of 18 report binge drinking at least once a month. Alcohol consumption is a common part of our culture, both in our state and across the US, but would you be able to notice the side effects of long-term alcohol use if you saw them?
When people think of long-term alcohol use, they might think of liver damage or even increased risks of liver cancer. While we do know a lot about how alcohol use can negatively impact a person over time, not every side effect is talked about.
Here at Pacific Sands, our solution-focused approach to recovery encompasses a wide range of education for those who haven’t even walked through our doors. By providing the community with resources about substance use, we teach people about what to look out for so they can make informed decisions about their health. Today we’re going to specifically be looking at alcohol shakes – what they are, what they mean, and what you can do about them.
Alcohol Shakes – What Are They, Anyway?
When someone has a long history of alcohol consumption, it takes a toll on the body. One of the side effects someone can develop with this is tremors, sometimes referred to as alcohol shakes. They most often occur during alcohol withdrawal.
There are two primary types of tremors that you might experience: an essential tremor or a postural tremor.
Essential tremors are akin to those seen in Parkinson’s disease. They are rapid and involuntary contraction of muscles causing shaking and movement in different parts of the body. These movements are often rhythmic and unable to be stopped easily.
Postural tremors, on the other hand, are tremors that occur when you have to hold up your body against gravity. An example of this would be when holding a spoon, or when lifting a leg out.
How Alcohol Impacts the Brain and Nervous System
Why exactly does alcohol cause muscle spasms or twitches?
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. The central nervous system (CNS) is responsible for how quickly the body sends messages to itself. Reflexes are one such thing controlled by the CNS.
When someone regularly consumes alcohol, the brain will begin to work to compensate for the slowed-down CNS. This is why many people might develop an “alcohol tolerance” and need to drink more to overcome this compensation.
If someone stops or lessens their regular levels of alcohol consumption, the brain needs time to slow down its heightened state. For a while, your brain will be overactive as it adjusts to alcohol no longer slowing down your CNS. This overactivity is the main cause of alcohol tremors. Think about it like how too much caffeine can cause someone to be “jittery,” but instead of adding something into your system to cause this, it’s taking something away.
Who Is Most at Risk of Experiencing Alcohol Shakes?
The people most at risk of experiencing alcohol shakes are people who can experience alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal comes with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). With this in mind – are there any risk factors for an alcohol use disorder?
- Age – Some age groups drink more often than others. The most common age group for any degree of substance use is 18-25 year olds. When it comes to alcohol in particular, however, the group with the highest death rate from alcohol use is adults aged 35 and older.
- Childhood – The habits you see and learn growing up can play a key role in the potential to develop an AUD. If you grow up surrounded by people who drink often, whether it’s your family or close friends, you’re more likely to engage in drinking yourself.
- Mental health – Alcohol is often used as a tool to manage untreated mental health. Mental health conditions frequently go hand-in-hand with any degree of substance use.
- Genetics – There are many studies that are looking into the genetics that could be related to alcohol use. There have been some genes that could contribute, so if your family has a long history of alcohol consumption, you might have one of these genes yourself.
The important thing to remember is that even if you check off several boxes for potential risk factors, it doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to develop an alcohol use disorder.
Are Alcohol Shakes a Sign of an Alcohol Use Disorder?
The average person will not experience alcohol shakes from one or two nights of drinking alone. Unless you’re having a potential allergic reaction to alcohol or ethanol, alcohol shakes are a common sign of an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol shakes come along with alcohol withdrawal, which only occurs in someone who has had a degree of regular alcohol consumption over a longer period of time. While there isn’t a specific recipe for time and amount of alcohol consumed, drinking socially on occasion or going out once a month with your friends is not going to be a guarantee to develop an AUD.
The Side Effects of Alcohol Withdrawal
The best way to know if your tremors are due to alcohol withdrawal is to pay attention to other side effects that are common with withdrawal. Many of these symptoms can overlap with a hangover, but enough of them vary to make it quite obvious which of the two you might be experiencing.
Alcohol withdrawal usually occurs 6 hours after your last drink. The most common physical symptoms include nausea, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, sweating, rapid heart rate, and insomnia. You can also experience behavioral side effects like irritability, anxiety, depression, nervousness, nightmares, and rapid emotional changes.
In extreme cases, alcohol withdrawal can cause hallucinations and seizures.
Alcohol-Related Brain Damage
When large quantities of alcohol are consumed, or it’s consumed on a frequent basis, it can start to negatively impact how our brain functions.
Memory loss and difficulties forming new memories are unfortunately very common in those who have a long history with an alcohol use disorder. Additionally, overall confusion and lowered problem-solving abilities can also occur with alcohol-related brain damage.
What’s the Difference Between Alcohol Tremors and Delirium Tremens?
Alcohol tremors and delirium tremens are both symptoms or conditions that can occur during alcohol withdrawal. While both can involve experiencing body tremors, they’re not exactly the same.
Alcohol tremors, or alcohol shakes, most often are experienced within the first few days of withdrawal. They can vary in severity from person to person but are a singular symptom that can occur without delirium tremens.
Delirium tremens is a condition that comes from severe alcohol withdrawal. Delirium tremens can also be caused by head injuries and infections. For those who are going through alcohol withdrawals, symptoms usually appear 48-96 hours after your last drink, though they can occur up to a week after your last drink.
The symptoms of delirium tremens include:
- Agitation
- Body tremors
- Delirium (severe confusion)
- Unusually deep sleep
- Sudden bursts of energy
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Sudden mood changes
- Increased sensitivity to stimuli
- Stupor and fatigue
- Restlessness
How Can You Treat Alcohol Shakes?
On average, alcohol shakes due to withdrawal only last 48-72 hours after your last drink. In some cases, it can last longer. This timeline will vary depending on your health and history with alcohol use.
If you’re experiencing alcohol shakes, there are a few things you can do to help potentially reduce them. There are also things you can avoid to make sure you don’t accidentally make them worse. Let’s take a look at a few.
| What You Should Do | What You Shouldn’t Do |
|---|---|
| Drink plenty of water | Drink caffeine |
| Eat more grains and vegetables | Consume sugar |
| Eat more protein | Eat fruit |
| Participate in stress-relieving activities | Do things that raise your heart rate |
While these methods won’t cure your alcohol shakes, they can help you better manage them as you go through alcohol withdrawal. If at any point your shakes are concerning to you, don’t hesitate to reach out for medical help.
How to Find a Good Alcohol Detox Program in California
Alcohol withdrawal is not always easy to tackle alone, and no one should have to be alone as they go through such a change in their life. If you’re looking for a quality alcohol detox program right here in California, there are great options available for you.
An alcohol detox program supports you through the process of your withdrawal. You will have access to medication and medical staff who will ensure your safety and comfort during the process. Going through this program will also set you up for a strong foundation in long-term recovery.
After detox, you’ll have options of both inpatient and outpatient services depending on your specific wants and needs. Receiving that additional support and treatment is key to inspiring you to learn new tools and skills to make your recovery journey as smooth as possible.
There’s no wrong time to get started. If you’re looking for a facility that has an intimate setting, ensuring you get the hands-on, one-on-one experience you deserve, come visit us here at Pacific Sands. Our team will work with you to make sure your recovery journey is right for you. Give us a call at 949-426-7962 and we’ll help you get started the right way.
Pacific Sands – The first step towards a new life.
