Quitting alcohol isn’t always simple for people who drink heavily over long periods. The process can come with severe, sometimes dangerous, withdrawal. Alcohol shakes are one of the most visible – and alarming – of these symptoms. These involuntary movements can range from subtle hand jitters to uncontrollable, full-body shaking.
In many cases, alcohol shakes are a sign of nervous system distress and may signal the onset of a potentially life-threatening condition called delirium tremens.
What Causes Alcohol Shakes?
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows brain activity and decreases stimulation. Over time, your brain compensates by ramping up production of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate. When you suddenly stop drinking, it floods your brain with these stimulating chemicals – now unopposed by alcohol – causing nervous system overactivity.
This neurological surge can trigger:
- Hand tremors or uncontrollable shaking
- Sweating and rapid heartbeat
- Increased anxiety or panic attacks
- Insomnia and heightened sensory sensitivity
These symptoms are your body’s way of trying to regain balance. Unfortunately, you may spiral into even more dangerous territory without medical attention.
The Dangers of Delirium Tremens
Severe alcohol withdrawal can escalate into delirium tremens, a life-threatening condition that includes:
- Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations
- Severe confusion or disorientation
- Seizures
- Extremely rapid heart rate
- Fever and high blood pressure
Delirium tremens typically appears 48 to 72 hours after the last drink and can lead to coma or death if left untreated. That’s why you should never ignore alcohol shakes – they may be warning you that you urgently need medical intervention.
How Long Do Alcohol Shakes Last?
The alcohol withdrawal timeline varies based on the severity of your drinking habit, your medical history, and your body’s response. For most people, shakes begin within a few hours of their last drink, peak within the first two to three days, and diminish within a week, if managed properly.
However, some people may continue to experience tremors and other symptoms for weeks. These cases may signify post-acute withdrawal syndrome – a longer-lasting condition where your brain and nervous system continue to adjust after detox.
Risk Factors That Influence Withdrawal Severity
Several factors influence how severe your alcohol withdrawal symptoms will be, but all of them highlight why you should never attempt to detox on your own.
- The length and intensity of your drinking habit
- Previous experiences with withdrawal
- Age, general health, and co-occurring medical or mental health conditions
- Lack of nutrition or hydration during detox
- A history of seizures or mental illness
Why Medical Detox Is Essential
Alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to quit cold turkey. Even if you genuinely want to quit, willpower alone cannot protect you from the neurological chaos that abrupt alcohol withdrawal can cause. That’s why medically managed detox is critical.
Hope Lodge’s clinical alcohol treatment team offers:
- 24/7 supervision and monitoring of vital signs
- Medications like naltrexone and acamprosate to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent seizures
- Nutrition and hydration
- Group and individual therapy to address triggers
- A private environment in a beautiful setting
We help you stabilize physically and mentally by safely managing the early stages of withdrawal, allowing a smooth transition into residential treatment.
Your Recovery Starts With a Safe Detox
If you experience alcohol shakes or want to quit drinking after long-term use, don’t wait. These symptoms are a sign that your body is under severe stress – and the risks of going it alone are too high.
Hope Lodge offers safe, professional alcohol detox services at our two peaceful locations in Costa Mesa and Lake Arrowhead, California. We make it easy to get the help you need by offering same-day admissions and accepting many forms of insurance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can guide you safely through detox into a healthier, substance-free future.