The NHS recommends not drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week and spreading intake over three or more days.
One unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to half a pint of normal-strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits.
A small glass of wine contains about 1.5 units, a standard glass is 2.1 and a bottle of wine contains 10 units.
Meanwhile, a can of lager, beer or cider is two units.
A pint is two or three units, depending on whether it is lower or higher strength.
Campaigners say that while it is encouraging that fewer people are undertaking risky drinking, millions are still consuming alcohol at levels that could threaten their health.
Jem Roberts, head of external affairs at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, says this latest survey shouldn’t distract from the scale of alcohol harm in England.
“Millions of people are still drinking at levels that significantly increase their risk of serious harm, from alcohol-related cancers to life-changing injuries and long-term illness, and we have seen record high alcohol deaths in recent years,” he said.
The most effective way to reduce the record number of alcohol deaths is through measures such as minimum unit pricing, clear health warnings on alcohol labels, restrictions on alcohol availability, and comprehensive bans on alcohol marketing, he added.