A WORRYING number of older women are entering formal treatment for alcoholism, according to new figures.

Nearly one in ten of those starting treatment is now a woman aged 60 or more, which compares with six per cent five years ago.

In contrast, women beginning treatment for alcoholism between the ages of 18 and 29 went down – from 18 per cent five years ago to 14 per cent, according to latest figures from Public Health England, quoted by the Priory Group, known for offering rehabilitation to celebrities.

The figures show a similar trend among older men – with eight per cent of those males entering treatment being over 60 compared with six per cent five years ago.

The number of men aged between 18 and 29 entering treatment was 15 per cent last year from 19 per cent in 2008/09.

Some 835 people – men and women – died during treatment in 2013/14.

Priory consultant psychiatrist, Dr Paul McLaren said: “A common pattern is for regular drinkers, who have had their consumption constrained by the structure of working, tipping into harmful drinking in retirement. Many of the women I see are retired professionals who never had issues with alcohol in the past.

“Then there is home delivery. I have seen many examples of alcohol being delivered to older people too damaged or impaired by it to go out and buy it themselves. So they don’t have to leave home to buy alcohol – supermarkets will deliver it straight to their door.”

He added: “Retirement, bereavement and loneliness can increase a person’s drive for alcohol.

“But the dangers of alcohol are increased among older drinkers, particularly because of medication, frailty and other health problems.

“Heavy drinking is associated with a raised risk of high blood pressure and type two diabetes. Alcohol can lead to brain damage. It is a powerful toxin that can damage every organ in the body and we are more susceptible to it as we get older.

“Because older women don’t necessarily fit the stereotypes people held about alcohol misuse, and because they often keep their drinking hidden, there just aren’t enough services out there to offer them the help they need.

“Some are socialising more – which is wonderful, but of course that often revolves around taking alcohol, and some elderly people mistakenly believe they have built up an alcohol tolerance.”

The figures are being highlighted at the start of Alcohol Awareness Week.