The number of people aged 55 and over who have registered for help with problem drinking has gone up from 3,154 to 7,241 over the past 10 years, news agency ANP reports on Monday.

Rob Bovens of the addiction institute Trimbos puts the number of older people who abuse alcohol at up to 200,000.
One reason for the increase is that older people tend to drink every day, while youngsters confine their bingeing to weekends. ‘Addiction creeps up on you,’ Bovens said.
People aged 55 and over now account for 22% of the total number of people receiving help with alcohol addiction.