When to worry about tremor with alcohol use disorder

Alcohol can affect the brain's balance systems. When regular drinking is reduced or stopped, tremor may occur with sweating, anxiety, nausea, headache, fast heartbeat or poor sleep. Withdrawal can become dangerous, particularly when symptoms progress quickly or there has been a previous withdrawal seizure or episode of confusion.

Do not try to manage significant withdrawal alone. Contact a clinician or addiction service promptly for a supervised plan, and tell them when you last drank, how much you typically drink, and whether withdrawal has happened before. Avoid driving if you are shaking, dizzy or confused. Keep someone trusted nearby and do not take sedatives unless prescribed for this situation.

Call emergency services for a seizure, hallucinations, severe confusion, collapse, extreme agitation, chest pain, trouble breathing, or repeated vomiting. Seek urgent same-day care for shaking that is intensifying, fever, marked sweating, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or inability to keep fluids down. Withdrawal symptoms can worsen after they begin, so improvement should not be assumed.

Ask whether supervised withdrawal is needed, which symptoms require emergency help, how medicines will be monitored, and what ongoing support can help you reduce harm and maintain recovery.