Alcohol Withdrawal
One of the most commonly reported symptoms of alcohol withdrawal is shaky hands. While this symptom may seem benign, it can signify something much more serious. To understand how alcohol withdrawal causes shaky hands, it’s important to understand how alcohol affects the body. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which slows down brain activity. This slowing of brain activity can lead to feelings of relaxation and calmness.
While moderate consumption of alcohol may lead to these desired effects, excessive consumption can have the opposite effect. When people drink too much alcohol, they may experience shaky hands, slurred speech, impaired motor function, and vomiting. The over-stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn causes the hands to shake.
If an individual experiences any other symptoms along with shaky hands, such as anxiety, sweating, or headaches, it’s important to seek medical help immediately as these could be signs of delirium tremens (DTs). DTs are a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in people who stop drinking after prolonged periods of excessive consumption.
