What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal? Tips for Coping

Certain medications such as Baclofen, a muscle relaxer, can ease your central nervous system to reduce tremors. Others, like benzodiazepines, also treat many of the underlying causes of alcohol addiction, such as anxiety and depression. Drugs that ease withdrawal symptoms also come with some severe side effects. It’s always best to consult a medical professional before using any type of medication. An alcohol addiction is dangerous, and the best way to reduce the risks of drinking is to stop using alcohol.

In simple terms, these are fits of involuntary shaking that occur in a person’s body, either centralized to one area or throughout the whole body. Alcohol shakes can happen from both alcohol withdrawal and from excessive alcohol consumption. However, it’s important to note that people with moderate to severe alcohol addictions may struggle with sticking to a taper schedule and end up relapsing to heavier alcohol use. AWS is more common in adults, but children and teenagers who drink excessively may also experience the symptoms.

Mental Health Treatment

So, when you stop drinking alcohol, the GABA receptors can’t do their job, and the central nervous system can become overactive.3 That’s when the shaking begins. This depends on the individual and the results of laboratory tests that their doctor may order. In general, blood work will test serum magnesium, and replacements will occur if indicated. Vitamins such as thiamine and folic acid will need to be supplemented. The person should also try to eat three well-balanced meals per day and drink enough water to remain hydrated.

If you undergo professional alcohol detox, you may be given certain medications to reduce symptoms, such as benzodiazepine, thiamine, or propranolol. Another alternative, especially if you have experienced severe withdrawal in the past, is to check yourself into a professional detoxification facility. how to stop alcohol shakes Detox programs involve short-term (usually less than seven days) inpatient treatment during which specially trained professionals monitor your withdrawal closely and administer medications as needed. The best way to quit alcohol while avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms is to ask for help.

Why Do Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Occur?

Talk to someone you trust if you find yourself struggling with cravings so that they can help provide emotional support during tough times. Yes, there are many things other than alcohol that can help calm your cravings. For example, engaging in activities like exercise, yoga, meditation, journaling, art therapy and listening to music can help reduce stress and lift your mood.

Some people may have alcohol shakes, which occur when a person who is dependent on alcohol struggles with withdrawal. Does that mean that a person who is experiencing alcohol tremors like this is facing addiction? It is also likely that a person needs to work through alcohol detox in order to get through what they’re experiencing. Side effects from alcohol withdrawal range from mild to severe, and some are life-threatening.

What Are the Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Patients with mild withdrawal symptoms (i.e., CIWA–Ar scores of 8 or less) and no increased risk for seizures can be managed without specific pharmacotherapy (Mayo-Smith 1997; Saitz and O’Malley 1997). Successful nonpharmacological treatments include frequent reassurance and monitoring by treatment staff in a quiet, calm environment. Most patients with mild withdrawal symptoms, whether they are treated or not, do not develop complications. If the shakes are due to alcohol withdrawal, seek out professional help.

Today we’ll show you proven methods on how to stop drinking alcohol naturally, at-home. This thought process can be a useful mental tool when the physical pain of withdrawal is most severe. An effective coping technique is to “fast forward” your relapse fantasy. Instead of thinking about the momentary relief that will come with the drink, think beyond that to the inevitable pain that will come after. Think about all of the work you have done thus far and how much of a setback that would be. Consider how drinking again will only prolong your addiction and create more pain as you enter detox again.

Medications

You might notice tremors and shakes mostly in your hands or fingers. Others report experiencing hangover shakes in their arms, eyes, head, and even their voice. Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if seizures, fever, severe confusion, hallucinations, or irregular heartbeats occur. It is important to go to a living situation that supports you in avoiding unhealthy alcohol use. Some areas have housing options that provide a supportive environment for those trying to stay sober.

Also, connecting with friends and family or engaging in activities that bring you joy can be helpful in managing cravings as well. Taking the time to explore what works best for you is important so that you can find healthy coping tools to manage difficult emotions without relying on alcohol. Detoxing without medical supervision can be dangerous and lead to severe side effects or even death.

Try to mentally connect your alcohol consumption to pain, not pleasure or relief. If you or someone you know is struggling with their alcohol use, seeking professional help can make a difference. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/top-10-substance-abuse-group-activities/ Alcohol is popular within polydrug use, such as benzos and marijuana. The combination can present drastic effects on the body, barraging the system with addictive substances.

The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. A classic sign or symptom of Alcohol Withdrawal is the alcohol shakes. Alcohol shakes can occur a number of hours after the last drink of alcohol. Members of the healthcare profession refer to the shakes as tremors.

Additional research also is needed to determine the most appropriate treatment settings as well as methods of engaging patients in ongoing relapse prevention efforts. Improved insight into these issues will enable clinicians to improve the efficiency and quality of care for patients who are experiencing or are at risk for withdrawal. AW seizures also can occur within 1 or 2 days of decreased alcohol intake, even in the absence of other withdrawal signs and symptoms.