If you decide to go back to drinking after taking some time off, you should exercise some caution. Just because you remember how much you could drink before, it doesn’t mean your body does – so it’s a good idea to take things slow and be extra aware of how you’re feeling.

To get started, Dr Tryon recommends adopting the following tips:

1. Don’t celebrate with a binge

“Avoid drinking too much within a short space of time as it makes it a lot harder for your body to process alcohol,” Dr Tryon says.

This is especially true if you’re drinking drinks with a higher alcohol content, such as shots of spirits or big glasses of wine. You could always try a few non-alcoholic drinks among alcoholic ones to ease yourself back in.

Try mindful drinking

If you want to start drinking again but want to avoid the awful side effects that come with it, then try a more mindful approach to alcohol consumption.

“You should also try to keep an eye on how much you’re consuming, set yourself limits and try to drink slowly to give your body time to work through the alcohol,” she says.

“Alternating between water and alcoholic drinks is an excellent way to do this. Not only will it help keep you hydrated, reducing some of the unwanted side effects of alcohol, but it’ll also give your body time to process the alcohol.

3. Build healthy habits

Ultimately, Dr Tryon says, you want to make sure you give your body time to realise what’s going on and respond accordingly. A small glass of wine here or there won’t do you any harm, but you don’t want to go on a big night out with friends straight after a period of abstinence.

“The key is not to view your drinking break as a stepping stone to a binge once you return to drinking, but as a chance to create long-lasting, healthier habits,” she adds.

“Rather than making a drastic change and refraining from going out and socialising as you would any other month of the year, try to carry on as normal. For example, if your friends are going out for dinner or going to the pub, you can still go along and opt for a soft drink.

“That way, by the time you return to drinking alcohol, you won’t feel such a dramatic shift and feel the need to binge drink. By continuing to live your life as much the same as possible, it’s more likely you’ll be able to sustain these positive habits and develop a healthier relationship with alcohol.”

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