Healthier drinking usually makes for happier relationships with others and can improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Here are some top tips:

1. Talk it over

If something is playing on your mind, it's good advice to talk things through when both of you are sober - don't wait until one or both of you has started drinking.

2. Pay attention to your feelings and behaviour

Recognise the situations in which you tend to drink more than you would like and how that impacts on your mood and that of those around you. And make a plan for how you would deal with it differently next time for a better outcome.

3. Keep track of your drinking

Recording what you drink for a few weeks will help you understand your drinking pattern so that you can decide if you want to make a change. Use a free app like Try Dry to keep track of your drinking and set goals to help you cut down.

4. Find ways to support each other to cut down

The UK's Chief Medical Officers recommend not drinking more than 14 units a week; that's about six pints of lager or a bottle and a half of wine. Finding ways to support each other to cut down can help you reset your relationship with alcohol and make it less of a feature in your relationships.

5. Take a break from drinking together

Taking a few days off alcohol every week or taking an extended break like having a Dry January can be a great way to cut down and give your body a rest. Taking time off together means you are more likely to stick to your alcohol-free break, and will create opportunities for you to enjoy each other's company with a clear head.

6. Find alcohol-free ways to have fun

From walking to rock climbing, mocktail-making to star-baking, watching a movie to having a boogie, there are so many ways to have fun together which don't have to involve alcohol. Designate a night every week to spend some quality time with someone you love and see how much fun you can have without alcohol.

7. Ask for help

Ask for help if you feel you need it, or if you're worried about someone else's drinking. Lots of us struggle with alcohol at some point in our lives and need support to make a change. Talk to your GP or your local alcohol service, or visit the Alcohol Change UK website to find out more about getting support.

8. Get relationship support

If your drinking is negatively affecting you or your relationships, get support from Relate. You can access counselling on your own or as a couple.

Warning on alcohol withdrawal

Stopping drinking suddenly can be very dangerous, and can even kill you, if you are dependent on alcohol.

If, after a period of drinking, you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be dependent on alcohol and you should NOT suddenly stop drinking completely:

• seizures (fits)
• hand tremors (‘the shakes’)
• sweating
• seeing things that are not actually real (visual hallucinations)
• depression
• anxiety
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

But you can still take control of your drinking. Speak to a GP or support service who will be able to get help for you to reduce your drinking safely.

If you are worried that you can’t or don’t really want to give up alcohol but need to make some changes, talking to your GP or an alcohol practitioner can help you decide what option will be best for you.