Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls is a village on the outskirts of Milwaukee, making up the northeastern corner of Waukesha County. Unlike the urban neighborhoods that surround it, Menomonee Falls is a somewhat sparsely populated area of roughly 36 square miles, primarily made up of suburban neighborhoods, public parks, and large areas of untouched forests. Despite its small size compared to nearby cities like Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls is the largest village in Wisconsin, with a growing population of roughly 39,246 full-time residents.
While residents of Menomonee Falls live a relatively quiet life, the village is a manufacturing and commercial hub for the region. It is perhaps best known as the headquarters of the Kohl’s Corporation, which employs about 12.5% of the local population. Like many smaller municipalities throughout Wisconsin, Menomonee Falls experienced an economic downturn in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, it still maintains a combination of high household incomes and a low cost of living. As of the latest data, Menomonee Falls has a median household income of $90,636, which is far higher than the state median of $67,080.[1]
From the outside looking in, Menomonee Falls seems like a peaceful, economically strong village, with easy access to Milwaukee. However, like many villages, towns, and cities throughout the state of Wisconsin, Menomonee Falls is no stranger to substance abuse. Fortunately, with clinics like Midwest Detox nearby, Menomonee Falls residents can begin their recovery with the assistance of trained professionals. This way, they have a much better chance of getting sober and staying sober for good.
If you or a loved one live in Menomonee Falls and are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we understand that taking that first step can be difficult. However, it’s vitally important for your health and the well-being of those around you to seek out treatment.
Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Menomonee Falls, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Menomonee Falls
Population growth in Menomonee Falls has been consistently strong over the past few decades. Between 1990 and 2020, the village saw a population increase of more than 43% — from 26,836 to 38,504. While the village continues to grow to this day, it still only makes up a small part of Waukesha County. As of 2021, Waukesha County had a population of just over 408,000.
Both Menomonee Falls and Waukesha County have seen similar growth rates over the years, which means that the village only accounts for about 9.5% of the entire county population, with very little fluctuation over time. This is important to consider, as all of Menomonee Falls’ substance abuse statistics are calculated at the county level, which can make it difficult to ascertain exactly how many of the village’s residents are affected by substance abuse.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Waukesha County sees extremely high numbers of alcohol-related hospitalizations. Both emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations related to alcohol abuse have risen in the county over the past two decades. While the number of alcohol-related deaths is comparatively low, deaths still increased by 33% between 2014 and 2022.[2][3] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:
| Alcohol Statistics in Waukesha County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 1085 | 1829 | 63 |
| 2015 | 1291 | 2063 | 55 |
| 2016 | 1649 | 2122 | 66 |
| 2017 | 1717 | 2119 | 71 |
| 2018 | 1814 | 2010 | 75 |
| 2019 | 1607 | 2053 | 64 |
| 2020 | 1436 | 2121 | 89 |
| 2021 | 1387 | 2041 | 102 |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | 84 |
As you can see from the table, alcohol-related emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations have increased over the years, though each statistic peaked at different times. For example, Waukesha County saw a staggering 1,814 alcohol emergency room visits in 2018, while the county experienced its highest number of alcohol inpatient hospitalizations (2,122) in 2016. Meanwhile, the number of alcohol-attributable deaths has increased steadily over the same period, peaking at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. This is consistent with most other villages and towns throughout Wisconsin.
Currently, alcohol case data in Waukesha County is not available for all of 2022 or 2023. However, preliminary data shows that there were a total of 15 alcohol-related deaths between January and March of 2023. This could indicate that alcohol-attributable deaths are declining from the figures seen during the pandemic. However, more data is needed before we can confirm this trend.
The rate of opioid abuse has followed a similar trajectory, though the number of deaths is increasing at a much faster rate among opioid abusers in Waukesha County. Opioid hospitalizations peaked in the county leading up to the pandemic, but they have since declined. Sadly, opioid-attributable deaths have risen rapidly since 2014, with deaths coming at an even faster rate since the onset of the pandemic.[4][5] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Waukesha County in the table below:
| Opioid Statistics in Waukesha County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 96 | 97 | 42 |
| 2015 | 135 | 122 | 36 |
| 2016 | 140 | 150 | 50 |
| 2017 | 173 | 146 | 68 |
| 2018 | 165 | 114 | 56 |
| 2019 | 133 | 83 | 50 |
| 2020 | 168 | 93 | 83 |
| 2021 | 151 | 101 | 99 |
| 2022 | 129 | 79 | N/A |
Waukesha County is one of the few counties in the state that recorded a higher number of opioid deaths than alcohol deaths in 2021. The reasons for this phenomenon are not entirely clear, though access to more potent and dangerous forms of opioids (like fentanyl) has increased in the region. Initial data coming out of Waukesha County indicates that the number of opioid deaths will continue to rise at an alarming rate in 2022 and 2023.
Substance abuse involving drugs other than alcohol or opioids is less common in Waukesha County. However, several deaths are attributed to non-opioid drugs each year, and multi-drug deaths are on the rise. For example, Waukesha County records about 13 deaths involving cocaine and 4 deaths involving crystal meth each year.[6]
What does all of this data mean for the residents of Menomonee Falls? As previously mentioned, the village accounts for nearly 10% of the county population, but coroner’s reports and figures provided by the local police department suggest that as much as 14% of the county’s substance abuse cases originate in Menomonee Falls.
How Menomonee Falls Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls and the rest of Waukesha County do not always align with trends seen throughout Wisconsin. Most notably, the number and rate of alcohol and opioid deaths are far higher in nearby Milwaukee County. But this is not to say that Waukesha County has a better outlook than most of Wisconsin. In fact, when it comes to alcohol abuse, the county is among the worst in the state. This is especially troubling considering that Wisconsin is one of the worst states in the nation for binge drinking.[7]
That said, it’s not always as simple as stating the facts and figures and reaching a definitive conclusion about the state of alcohol abuse in the area. For instance, Waukesha County is the 4th and 3rd worst county in the state for alcohol emergency room visits and alcohol inpatient hospitalizations, respectively. At the same time, the county ranks 48th out of 72 counties for alcohol-attributable deaths, with an average of 47.8 alcohol deaths per 100,000 residents (compared to 55 in all of Wisconsin). This shows that, while Waukesha County sees higher rates of alcohol abuse, it does a better job of preventing alcohol deaths than many other counties in the state.
The statistics concerning opioid abuse are similarly unclear. Generally, Waukesha County sees more cases and more deaths related to opioids than the rest of Wisconsin. In 2021, Waukesha County saw an average of 24.7 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to 24.6 in all of Wisconsin. However, the rates of opioid hospitalizations were very mixed. The county had an average rate of 19.6 inpatient hospitalizations per 100,000 residents in 2022, compared to 17 in Wisconsin. Alternatively, Waukesha County recorded an average of just 32 opioid emergency room visits per 100,000 residents the same year, which was far higher than the state average of 43.9.
Needless to say, all of this data paints a complex picture of the current state of substance abuse in Waukesha County. However, it’s important to remember that Waukesha County’s data does not all come from the village of Menomonee Falls. To get a more accurate picture of substance abuse at the local level, let’s look at some of the most recent findings related to overdoses and deaths in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin:
- Annual Overdoses: 116
- Alcohol-Related Deaths: 12
- Opioid-Related Deaths: 13
- Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 3
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Menomonee Falls
Menomonee Falls is different from many other municipalities in Wisconsin insofar as it is incorporated as a village and is managed by a very small local government. The governing body is a board of trustees comprised of 6 members and a board president. As a result, the village relies heavily on county and state resources when combatting substance abuse.
Fortunately, Waukesha County offers various free and paid services to help people struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. The county has more than a dozen programs to help diagnose and even treat substance abuse among local residents. It also refers cases to local rehab and detox clinics as needed.
As a complement to these local programs, Wisconsin runs the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA), which manages dozens of programs and initiatives across the state. Menomonee Falls residents also seek out help from detox clinics like Midwest Detox, as well as quality inpatient rehab clinics like Wellbrook Recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Detox in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls is a beautiful village just a few miles away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Milwaukee. However, under the picturesque exterior lies a village plagued by substance abuse and addiction. And while there are plenty of county and state resources that offer support to residents of Menomonee Falls, these efforts have proven insufficient in stemming the rising tide of hospitalizations and deaths.
Fortunately, there is help nearby. Thanks to detox clinics like Midwest Detox, local residents can get the help they need from caring and compassionate substance abuse professionals. At Midwest Detox, we offer a private, discreet, and comfortable environment in which to cleanse your body of drugs or alcohol. We have the expertise to manage your withdrawal symptoms and the skills to prepare you for the road ahead.
When it comes to addiction, there is no time like the present. So, if you or someone you love is in need of drug or alcohol detox, reach out to Midwest Detox today and begin your journey to recovery.