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Answers Book · The morning after

Are shaky hands and dizziness normal with a hangover?

The 10-second answer

Shaky hands and dizziness can be part of a hangover, but how mild or strong they feel can't tell you whether it's a hangover or alcohol withdrawal.

The simple answer

Feeling shaky or dizzy can happen with a hangover. Losing fluid can make you dizzy or lightheaded. Low blood sugar can make you feel shaky, weak, and sweaty.

Shaking is also a sign of alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal is a serious medical problem. It can start out mild and get worse, and it's hard to know at the start how bad it will get. If you think it could be withdrawal, get medical help right away, even if it feels mild.

If you're shaking after cutting back or stopping regular heavy drinking, seek medical care promptly. A clinician can assess whether you need medically supervised withdrawal treatment.

Go to the ER or call 911 if someone has a seizure, a fever, severe confusion, sees or hears things that aren't there, has an irregular heartbeat, or can't be woken up.

For free, private help any time, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Myth vs Fact

Myth

If the shaking is only slight, it can't be withdrawal.

Fact

Withdrawal can begin very mild, and it's hard to predict early how much worse it could get. Get medical help even if symptoms feel mild.

The science

  1. Cleveland ClinicCleveland Clinic lists shakiness as a hangover symptom and explains that low blood sugar from alcohol can make you feel shaky, weak, and sweaty. It notes that several hangover symptoms also occur during alcohol withdrawal.
  2. Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic lists dizziness or a sense of the room spinning among hangover symptoms, says dehydration can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, and says low blood sugar can make you extra tired, weak, and shaky. It advises calling 911 if someone who has been drinking shows confusion or seizures, or can't be awakened.
  3. NIH / NIAAANIAAA includes vertigo among typical hangover symptoms.
  4. Cleveland ClinicCleveland Clinic's alcohol withdrawal page describes withdrawal as ranging from very mild to severe, including tremor, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium. It calls withdrawal a potentially serious complication of alcohol use disorder and advises getting medical help even for mild symptoms, because it's hard to predict early how much worse they could get. Delirium tremens can be life-threatening. It describes medically supervised treatment for moderate withdrawal.
  5. MedlinePlusMedlinePlus says withdrawal may quickly become life-threatening. It advises contacting a provider right away or going to the ER if you think you might be in withdrawal, especially if you drank often and recently stopped. It also advises going to the ER or calling 911 for seizures, fever, severe confusion, hallucinations, or irregular heartbeats.
  6. SAMHSAThe SAMHSA National Helpline offers free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information.

Medical sources

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This page is general information, not medical advice. Sources are linked above. If you're worried about yourself or someone else, contact a healthcare provider or call 911.
Last checked: October 26, 2026