Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a quaint, historical city on the southern border of Wisconsin, situated about 15 miles north of Rockford, Illinois. Divided by the Rock River, Beloit offers residents and visitors a picturesque charm that is wholly unique to the small city. In addition to the beautiful waterfront views, Beloit is home to historical buildings, museums, and art exhibits. Aside from Janesville, which serves as the county seat, Beloit is one of the largest cities in Rock County.
Sadly, a variety of factors led to economic stagnation and increasing poverty rates in Beloit. The population has barely changed over the last few decades — increasing slightly from 36,085 in 1990 to 36,609 in 2021. [1] The lack of growth, combined with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, has caused the poverty rate to skyrocket to 19.5%, which is well above the national average of 12.8%. This means that nearly 1 in 5 Beloit families live below the poverty line, with many more struggling to stay out of poverty. [2] The median household income in Beloit is $52,097, compared to the median of $67,080 across all of Wisconsin. [3]
While poverty is not always an indication of substance abuse, economic anxiety is one of many reasons that people turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. As a result, rates of substance abuse and addiction in Beloit have continued to rise in recent years. Fortunately, the situation is far from hopeless. There are county and state programs designed to help people navigate their recovery in Beloit. And with clinics like Midwest Detox nearby, you can begin your recovery journey with the assistance of trained professionals. This way, you have a much better chance of getting sober and staying sober for good.
Even if you’re not ready for detox, it’s still important to consider the reality of substance abuse in Beloit, Wisconsin. Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Beloit, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Beloit
With a population of a little over 36,000, Beloit has seen very little growth over the years. However, this is not completely unexpected for cities in southern Wisconsin. For example, nearby Milwaukee has actually seen a 9.3% decline in its population since 1990. By comparison, Beloit is poised to continue growing in the coming years, albeit at a very slow rate.
Beloit is one of the largest cities in Rock County, but it still only accounts for 22.2% of the county’s total population of 164,481. It’s also important to note that Rock County’s population is growing at a much faster rate, which means that Beloit will likely account for an even smaller portion of the county in the future. These numbers matter because nearly all of Beloit's substance abuse data is collected at the county level. This can make it a little harder to determine exactly how many people are struggling with addiction in the city of Beloit.
Nonetheless, it’s very important to evaluate the county-level data, especially since Beloit accounts for more than 1 in 5 people in Rock County. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Rock County has seen a sharp increase in the number of alcohol-related emergency room visits over the past 15 years, while alcohol-related inpatient hospitalizations have increased at a much slower rate. Both emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations have seen a moderate decline over the past few years. Between 2014 and 2021, Rock County recorded an increase in alcohol-related deaths of 58.8%. [4] [5] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:
| Alcohol Statistics in Rock County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 1,005 | 956 | 68 |
| 2015 | 1,029 | 1,014 | 68 |
| 2016 | 1,106 | 1,154 | 74 |
| 2017 | 1,267 | 1,116 | 78 |
| 2018 | 1,292 | 1,151 | 86 |
| 2019 | 1,293 | 1,043 | 87 |
| 2020 | 1,086 | 970 | 97 |
| 2021 | 1,007 | 909 | 111 |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | 108 |
As you can see from the table, alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise in Rock County for years. The biggest increase occurred between 2019 and 2020, which coincides with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary data shows that Rock County recorded 14 alcohol deaths in January and February of 2023. If the trends continue as they have in recent years, the number of alcohol-attributable deaths in 2023 will meet or exceed the number of deaths recorded in 2022.
Like many other counties throughout Wisconsin (and the rest of the country), Rock County has seen a substantial increase in cases of opioid abuse. Strangely, emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations related to opioid abuse have been on the decline or failed to show consistent patterns, while opioid deaths increased by an astounding 190.9% between 2014 and 2021. [6] [7] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Rock County in the table below:
| Opioid Statistics in Rock County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 50 | 54 | 22 |
| 2015 | 64 | 51 | 22 |
| 2016 | 108 | 68 | 35 |
| 2017 | 179 | 56 | 39 |
| 2018 | 133 | 45 | 36 |
| 2019 | 109 | 37 | 40 |
| 2020 | 167 | 36 | 40 |
| 2021 | 206 | 31 | 64 |
| 2022 | 99 | 20 | N/A |
Though emergency room visits caused by opioid overdose have generally increased since 2014, the numbers have varied substantially from year to year, with 2022 recording the lowest number of opioid emergency room visits since 2016. Alternatively, opioid inpatient hospitalizations have steadily declined, reaching an all-time low in 2022. Even though data related to deaths caused by opioid abuse is not available for 2022 or 2023 yet, the steady increase in deaths and sudden spike in 2021 may indicate that the number of fatal overdoses has only continued to rise.
While alcohol and opioids cause the greatest number of deaths by overdose in Rock County, various other drugs also play a role in the ongoing addiction crisis. Heroin and cocaine both cause multiple deaths each year in Rock County. And though it is far less common, crystal meth is also abused in Beloit and other cities in the area. [8]
Since all of the aforementioned data pertains to the entirety of Rock County, it’s important to consider how many of these cases actually occur in Beloit. As previously mentioned, Beloit accounts for 22.2% of the county population. Based on city coroner’s reports, it is estimated that Beloit contributes more than 35% of the hospitalizations and deaths recorded at the county level, making it one of the worst cities in the county for substance abuse.
How Beloit Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
Beloit records higher rates of substance abuse than many other parts of Wisconsin, with recent years increasing the disparity between Rock County’s numbers and the numbers coming from the state as a whole. This is particularly troubling considering that Wisconsin is one of the worst states in the nation for alcohol abuse, with 25% of adults engaging in binge drinking on a regular basis. [9] In 2021, Rock County saw an average of 68.8 alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to just 55 across all of Wisconsin. Similarly, Rock County recorded an annual average of 39.7 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to just 24.6 statewide.
Naturally, it’s important to consider exactly how substance abuse affects the residents of Beloit. The city itself does not record the same number of overdoses and deaths as the county, but it does contribute a large percentage of these figures. To get a more accurate picture of the direct impact of substance abuse at the city level, let’s look at some of the most recent findings related to overdoses and deaths in Beloit, Wisconsin:
- Annual Overdoses: 156
- Alcohol-Related Deaths: 38
- Opioid-Related Deaths: 20
- Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 4
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Beloit
Beloit does not offer any city-level initiatives to combat substance abuse or actively promote recovery. Like many small cities with limited resources, Beloit relies on programs managed at the county and state levels for support. In Rock County, people struggling with addiction have access to walk-in substance abuse screenings. This allows local citizens to quickly get a referral to a detox or rehab clinic. The county also funds the Overdose Fatality Review Team, which analyzes overdose data with the goal of crafting more effective initiatives and promoting greater transparency between various government agencies.
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. Beloit residents seek out help from detox clinics like Midwest Detox, as well as quality inpatient rehab clinics like Wellbrook Recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Detox in Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a beautiful city and an important part of the history of southern Wisconsin. Despite the outward appeal of the city, it continues to struggle with substance abuse, particularly when it comes to alcohol and opioids. With limited resources to address the issue, locals must depend on county and state resources, as well as nearby clinics for help.
Fortunately, Midwest Detox is just a phone call away in nearby Brookfield. At Midwest Detox, we have modern facilities and trained personnel ready to address your needs and help you overcome the early stages of withdrawal and recovery. We work tirelessly to ensure that you get everything you need to start your recovery the right way, while also helping teach you the skills you need to continue your journey to sobriety.
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.