Maybe you feel that you're drinking too much or too often. Perhaps it's a habit you'd like to better control.

It's always wise to check with your doctor who should be able to help you decide whether it is best for you to cut back or to abstain. People who are dependent on alcohol, or have other medical or mental health problems, should stop drinking completely.

Arming yourself with strategies, knowing what triggers you to drink, staying within the low risk drinking guidelines and taking drink-free days are all small steps towards big results.

If you’re trying to cut down on alcohol, aiming to have some alcohol-free days is one of the best ways to go about it. But if you’re used to drinking regularly, this can be easier said than done.

If you don’t drink a lot at one time, you might not think there’s any need to change your drinking habits. But drinking “little and often” can still mean the units rapidly add up. Click here to learn what 1 unit of alcohol is. For example, a medium-sized glass of wine with dinner every day can mean you’re consuming around 16 units a week. Guidelines recommend that to keep health risks from alcohol low, it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.