 Delirium tremens is most common in people who have a history of alcohol withdrawal, especially in those who drink the equivalent of of beer or of distilled beverage daily.Delirium tremens also commonly affects those with a history of habitual alcohol use or alcoholism that has existed for more than 10 years.Delirium tremens is a component of alcohol withdrawal hypothesized to be the result of compensatory changes in response to chronic alcohol abuse.