How to Stop Alcohol Withdrawal Shakes

If you have been a chronic drinker for some time then suddenly and abruptly quit, then you will likely experience the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). One of the symptoms that can be quite frustrating is the shakes. These are sometimes called tremors and can occur intermittently or continually. The shakes may be very light and not too noticeable or they may be more severe. Either way, if you are experiencing them, it is an uncomfortable withdrawal symptom. You may wonder how to stop alcohol withdrawal shakes. Seeking treatment at an alcohol detox in Jacksonville FL is an important step to take when dealing with withdrawal shakes.

What Are the Shakes?

Shakes are the slight trembling of usually the hands, but it can also affect other parts of the body and even the voice box. A person may have difficulty holding onto things because of the tremors making it awkward to do a range of things such as writing, paying for things in public, grocery shopping, and so on. It also may be embarrassing for the person with the alcohol shakes because they feel like others will notice.

Why Do People Get the Shakes?

As much as people want to know how to stop alcohol withdrawal shakes, it’s important to understand the reason behind why they get them. Alcohol is a depressant. When someone drinks for an extended period, it depresses the central nervous system but causes the brain to compensate by going into overdrive. The brain produces extra chemicals to naturally stimulate the person to keep them functioning. These chemicals include serotonin and norepinephrine.

When a person then abruptly stops drinking, the brain isn’t prepared for the sudden shock to the system. The brain can’t smoothly transition back to a normal state. When this happens, the person experiences alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Shaking is one of the many symptoms of this condition.