Nicola Bulley's family is in a "terrible place" after yesterday's police update on her struggles with alcohol, an ex-detective has said.
The mortgage adviser, 45, was last seen on January 27 while walking her springer spaniel Willow in the village of St Michael's on the Wyre in Lancashire.
Yesterday, police held a press conference where they said for the first time that the mum-of-two was categorised as "high risk" due to "a number of specific vulnerabilities".
At the time, they did not elaborate and sparked further speculation despite trying to use the press conference to squash any unhelpful theories.
Hours later, the force stated on Facebook that Ms Bulley "in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause".
They added that these issues had "resurfaced in recent months".
Mark Williams-Thomas, who recently travelled to the village to assist with the investigation into Ms Bulley's disappearance, has said the family are in a "terrible place".
The ex-detective, who helped expose Jimmy Savile's sick crimes, tweeted: "It was a really bad day for #NicolaBulley family & friends yesterday as a direct result of the terrible police communications strategy.
"Holding back the high-risk status, then dropping it into a press conference and then refusing to explain it and then having to within hours.
"If police dealt with high-risk status at the start it would have provided much more understanding, leading to less confusion, public hysteria & media involvement (which police haven’t coped with) & led to less damage to Paul & family, who are right now after y/day in a terrible place."
This morning, Martyn Underhill told Sky News that he had never "seen such a level of detail" released in a missing persons case.
He also questioned why officers were releasing it now.
Speaking to Kay Burley, Mr Underhill said: "You can understand why some people are saying it's victim blaming to protect their own reputation.
"I can't see how it progresses the case any further forward now we're three weeks in, to be frank."
Police also said in their updated statement: "As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10th.
"No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated."
Mr Underhill commented: "Particularly since they say it was a police car with police and health professionals, the subtext of that is that this was a mental health car.
"Clearly this wasn't a domestic abuse scenario or a drunken person scenario - it was a mental health incident which Nicola was suffering.
He added: "That is crucial, really, I'm amazed it hasn't been released before and, of course, on 3 February in their press conference they actually said there were 'no significant issues involving Nicola's health'
"I can understand in some ways why they didn't release it then as it would completely destroy her reputation.
"It's a big move to take but if you aren't going to take it at the start of the investigation, why do it now?"
