Sober CounterShaking after quitting alcohol: why it happens, how long it lasts and when it is an emergency
The shakes after you stop drinking are a withdrawal symptom and a sign your body depends on alcohol. How long they last, what helps, and when to call 999.
Shaking after you stop drinking, often called the shakes, is a withdrawal symptom. The NHS says withdrawal symptoms are a sign your body is dependent on alcohol. They usually begin 6 to 12 hours after the last drink and last 3 to 7 days. If you shake when you stop or cut down, get medical help to stop safely. Call 999 if someone is shaking visibly after stopping, is confused, sees things that are not there, or has a seizure.
Why you shake when you stop drinking
When you drink regularly, your body gets used to having alcohol in it. When the alcohol is taken away, it reacts, and shaking, usually in the hands, is one of the typical signs.
The NHS lists "a racing heartbeat, sweating and shaking (tremor)" among the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and is clear about what they mean: "This is a sign your body is dependent on alcohol." The UK charity Drinkaware lists hand tremors, "the shakes", first among the typical withdrawal symptoms.
Doctors measure it. The checklist used to assess alcohol withdrawal, called CIWA-Ar, asks the person to hold their arms out with fingers spread, and scores the tremor from "not visible, but can be felt fingertip to fingertip" up to "severe, even with arms not extended".
How long do alcohol shakes last?
- They start within hours. The NHS says withdrawal symptoms "begin within 6 to 12 hours of your last drink". If you drink in the evening, that is the next morning.
- They are usually worst in the first few days. Drinkaware says withdrawal symptoms often peak within the first 24 to 72 hours, then gradually improve.
- They usually ease within a week. The NHS says withdrawal symptoms "usually last from 3 to 7 days", and Drinkaware says most people feel better within a week.
- Some symptoms can last longer. The NHS adds that some "may last for a few months, especially if you drink heavily".
If your hands are still shaking weeks after your last drink, see a GP. The NHS says a tremor that is getting worse or affecting your daily life should be checked, so a doctor can rule out other causes.
Shaky the morning after drinking
Many people notice shaky hands the morning after a heavy night. The NHS says a tremor can become more noticeable after drinking alcohol, and when you are tired, anxious or stressed, or have had caffeine.
But if your hands shake most mornings and a drink settles them, take that seriously. The NHS lists "needing a drink when you wake up in the morning" and getting withdrawal symptoms when you stop or cut down among the signs of alcohol-use disorder. Shaking that a drink stops is withdrawal.
What to do about the shakes
Get medical help to stop safely. This matters more than anything else on this page. The NHS says it "can be very dangerous to stop drinking suddenly if you're dependent on alcohol. If you get withdrawal symptoms, get medical help before you try to stop drinking." A GP or a local alcohol service can arrange "medical help for withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol, either at home or in hospital". This is often called a detox. Drinkaware explains that a doctor may prescribe medicine to take during withdrawal, which for people with severe dependence can be essential to avoid a seizure.
A drink will stop the shaking for a while, which is exactly how the cycle keeps going. The way out is a supported detox, not another drink.
While it settles, under medical advice:
- Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic drinks, but avoid caffeine, as Drinkaware advises. Caffeine can make a tremor more noticeable.
- Eat regularly, even small amounts.
- Find ways to relax, such as reading, a short walk or music. The NHS says a tremor becomes more noticeable when you are stressed or anxious.
- Ask for company and support from friends or family who do not drink heavily, as Drinkaware suggests.
Our page on what happens when you stop drinking explains the rest of withdrawal and what comes after, and our guides cover anxiety and night sweats, which often come with the shakes.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E (or your local emergency number) if you or someone else has severe withdrawal symptoms after stopping drinking. The NHS lists:
- shaking visibly
- being unusually restless, irritable or upset
- confusion, for example not knowing what day it is
- seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there
- having a seizure
Do not drive yourself. Drinkaware says about one in 10 people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome have seizures, and that repeated vomiting, severe shaking or hallucinations need medical attention.
See a GP or an alcohol service if you get the shakes when you stop or cut down, before you try to stop. In the UK you can also call NHS 111.
See a GP if a tremor is still there weeks after stopping, is getting worse, or is affecting your daily life.
Questions
How long do alcohol shakes last after quitting?
They usually start 6 to 12 hours after the last drink, are worst in the first 24 to 72 hours and ease within 3 to 7 days. In people who drank heavily, some withdrawal symptoms can last longer. A tremor that is still there weeks later should be checked by a GP.
Are the shakes a sign of alcohol dependence?
Yes. The NHS says withdrawal symptoms, including shaking, are a sign your body is dependent on alcohol. Needing a drink in the morning to settle your hands is one of the signs of alcohol-use disorder.
Is it dangerous to shake after stopping drinking?
It can be. Mild shaking is a common withdrawal symptom, but withdrawal can become severe. The NHS says to call 999 if someone is shaking visibly, confused, seeing things that are not there or having a seizure after stopping. If you get the shakes when you stop, get medical help to stop safely.
How do you stop alcohol shakes?
The safe way is medically supported withdrawal: a GP or alcohol service can help, at home or in hospital, and a doctor may prescribe medicine to make withdrawal safer. Water, regular food, rest and avoiding caffeine help while it settles.
Sources
- NHS: Alcohol-use disorder (page last reviewed 24 April 2026)
- Drinkaware: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms (last reviewed 3 April 2025)
- Sullivan JT, Sykora K, Schneiderman J, Naranjo CA, Sellers EM. Assessment of alcohol withdrawal: the revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale (CIWA-Ar). British Journal of Addiction, 1989
- NHS: Tremor or shaking hands
Need support right now?
In the UK, the NHS lists free alcohol support services: NHS alcohol support. In the US, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free, confidential and open all day, every day. Elsewhere, your local health service can point you to help near you.
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