None of the symptoms of a hangover are pleasant, but waking up to shaking after drinking can feel especially troubling. Commonly known as “hangover shakes,” these alcohol tremors may indicate it’s time to reevaluate your relationship with drinking.

What Are Hangover Shakes?

Hangover shakes are involuntary tremors a person feels after drinking heavily. People commonly experience hangover shakes in their hands or feet, but they may also manifest in the face, eyes or major limbs when severe. Experiencing hangover shakes can be unsettling, but they typically subside once your hangover does — and they won’t reoccur if you change your drinking habits for good.

What Causes Shaking After Drinking?

Alcohol shakes are a sign that your brain is trying to compensate for the sedative effects of alcohol and return to normal functioning. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can slow the transmission of chemicals in the brain responsible for motor function, speech, decision-making and recalling events. This is why people with a higher blood-alcohol concentration have slower reaction times, slur their speech and have aggressive mood swings.

When your brain detects a neurotransmitter imbalance, it tries to correct it by releasing chemicals that make your body more excitable and reactive — essentially, your nervous system goes into overdrive. Your brain is trying to improve your cognitive functions, alertness and time reacting to things around you. The problem is, once the alcohol leaves your blood, the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. As a result, you may experience uncomfortable tremors and shakes in various areas of your body.

Who Gets Alcohol Shakes?

Excessive drinking that leads to a hangover strains several systems throughout the body, causing everything from cognitive issues to gastrointestinal effects. It’s possible for any drinker to experience hangover shakes as a result of dehydration or their body’s reaction to the toxins in alcohol. These shakes are likely to be mild, short-lived and accompanied by other typical hangover symptoms like headache, nausea and fatigue.

Strategies to Alleviate and Prevent Alcohol Shakes

No magic treatment can stop hangover shakes while they’re happening, but you can take a few actions to help your body regulate more efficiently. If you experience shaking after drinking, try to:

  • Get some rest. Consuming alcohol can disrupt your sleep, so do your best to make up for those lost hours to calm the nervous system.
  • Drink plenty of water. Water and electrolyte drinks can address dehydration, improve circulation and assist in the removal of alcohol byproducts.
  • Eat nutrient-dense foods. Eggs, fruit and whole-grain complex carbs like toast or oatmeal can help stabilize shakiness from low blood sugar.

The only real prevention method for hangover shakes is to stop drinking completely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 17% of adults binge drink, and 6% report heavy drinking. If you’re struggling with your alcohol consumption, you’re certainly not alone.

Alcohol Shakes and Dependency

Alcohol is an addictive substance. While anyone can experience alcohol shakes, heavy drinkers are much more likely to encounter this distressing symptom. Alcohol tremors that occur after frequent periods of heavy drinking may actually be a sign of the body dealing with alcohol withdrawal and dependency. These alcohol shakes can be more frequent and intense, persisting for days or even weeks after a last drink.

Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

When alcohol shakes are a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, your body has adapted to the alcohol and is reacting when it’s missing. Along with tremors throughout the body, you may experience other withdrawal effects, such as:

  • Increased feelings of anxiety or depression
  • A racing heartbeat, rapid breathing and excessive sweating
  • Upset stomach, vomiting and decreased appetite
  • An inability to remain still, poor sleep patterns and hypervigilance
  • Poor motor function

Alcohol Shakes and Delirium Tremens

The greater your dependence on alcohol, the more intense and long-lasting the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be. In more severe cases, some people experience a condition called delirium tremens (DTs). In addition to the withdrawal symptoms already mentioned, they may experience:

If you notice someone exhibiting these symptoms along with intense mood swings or anger during alcohol withdrawal, seek medical attention immediately. People with delirium tremens may not be able to complete their alcohol detox on their own and should be monitored by medical professionals as their bodies adjust to a lack of alcohol. If not treated promptly, delirium tremens can be fatal.

How to Get Help for Alcohol Shakes

Some people have greater success handling alcohol shakes and withdrawal on their own than others. There’s no shame in needing medical assistance to make the transition to a more fulfilling life. If you’re waking up with hangover shakes on a routine basis, it might be time to find a healthier path.

The good news is that you don’t need to handle this journey alone. If you’re ready to make a change for the better, contact us at Sunlight Recovery. We’re here to help you every step of the way.