Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac is a mid-sized city located at the southern end of Lake Winnebago. The city prides itself on the fun shopping scene and relaxed way of life enjoyed by locals and visitors. In addition to the pleasant surroundings, Fond du Lac also has a strong economy that makes it an ideal choice for families, professionals, and retirees. The cost of living in Fond du Lac is approximately 7% lower than the state average, making it easier for many individuals and families to live comfortably on modest incomes. And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment rates are on the rise, helping to bolster the local economy and reduce poverty levels in the city of Fond du Lac and the rest of Fond du Lac County. [1]
However, everything in Fond du Lac is not as charming or tranquil as it may seem at first glance. The escalating substance abuse problem in Fond du Lac commands an increasing amount of attention from local authorities and institutions. Fond du Lac was not as hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as many other cities in the region, but the pandemic still left a shadow over the city that is not easily shaken off. Economic anxiety and public health concerns both led to a short-term increase in substance abuse cases, in addition to a trend of increased substance abuse hospitalizations and deaths that have been ongoing for nearly a decade.
But if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, you shouldn’t let yourself be discouraged by the crisis. 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 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Fond du Lac, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Fond du Lac
The population in Fond du Lac has remained steady at around 44,000, with very little growth over the past three decades. While the city of Fond du Lac serves as the county seat of Fond du Lac County, the county actually has a much larger population of 104,000. This is because Fond du Lac County also encompasses cities like Ripon and Waupun, as well as smaller villages and municipalities in the area. Since substance abuse statistics often cover the entire county without distinguishing between individual cities, pinpointing the exact number of residents with substance use disorders in the city of Fond du Lac can be tricky.
Nonetheless, it’s important to evaluate county-level data to see exactly how the region is affected by substance abuse. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Fond du Lac County recorded drastic increases in the number of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to alcohol alone over the past few years. Between 2014 and 2021, the county saw a 60% increase in alcohol-attributable emergency room visits and a 17% increase in alcohol-attributable inpatient hospitalizations. The number of alcohol-related deaths in Fond du Lac County increased by 61.7% over the same time period. [2] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:
| Alcohol Statistics in Fond du Lac County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room | Inpatient Hospitalization | Death |
| 2014 | 384 | 563 | 34 |
| 2015 | 408 | 539 | 30 |
| 2016 | 469 | 588 | 40 |
| 2017 | 573 | 684 | 41 |
| 2018 | 597 | 688 | 47 |
| 2019 | 603 | 680 | 50 |
| 2020 | 656 | 611 | 52 |
| 2021 | 615 | 659 | 55 |
Unlike most counties throughout Wisconsin and the rest of the country, Fond du Lac County did not see a spike in alcohol abuse cases during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by alcohol have both been steadily increasing for years. While finalized data for 2022 and 2023 are not yet available, all signs point to even higher cases of alcohol abuse. This is especially troubling considering that the population is not rising in equal proportion to the number of alcohol-related cases. [3]
Alcohol is far and away the largest contributor to substance abuse in Fond du Lac County, but it is certainly not the only addictive substance leading to hospitalizations and deaths. Opioid abuse is on the rise, though it does not lead to nearly as many deaths as alcohol. Between 2014 and 2021, opioid-attributable emergency room visits increased by 150%, while inpatient hospitalizations decreased by 26.3%. However, it’s important to note that there were substantial variations in the number of opioid-attributable inpatient hospitalizations from year to year. During the same period, Fond du Lac saw an increase in opioid deaths of approximately 111%. [4] [5] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Fond du Lac County in the table below:
| Opioid Statistics in Fond du Lac County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room | Inpatient Hospitalization | Death |
| 2014 | 22 | 19 | 9 |
| 2015 | 28 | 25 | 13 |
| 2016 | 44 | 34 | 11 |
| 2017 | 49 | 24 | 6 |
| 2018 | 34 | 21 | 11 |
| 2019 | 49 | 16 | 10 |
| 2020 | 72 | 15 | 25 |
| 2021 | 55 | 14 | 19 |
While data is limited for non-opioids, there are still various other drugs that lead to death in Fond du Lac County every year. Some of the most common street drugs include cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth. [6]
All of these figures make it abundantly clear that Fond du Lac finds itself in the midst of a full-blown substance abuse epidemic. But it’s important to remember that these statistics refer to the entirety of Fond du Lac County — not just the city. The city still contributes more addiction-related hospitalizations and deaths than any other city in Fond du Lac County by far. In fact, it is estimated that, while the city of Fond du Lac only accounts for about 43% of the county population, it contributes more than 50% of the county’s substance abuse cases.
How Fond du Lac Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
When comparing Fond du Lac to other cities and counties throughout the state of Wisconsin, the results are mixed. Once again, alcohol is by far the biggest culprit in Fond du Lac, which is made even worse by the fact that Wisconsin is one of the worst states in the nation for alcohol abuse. [7] Out of the 72 counties in the state, Fond du Lac is the 14th and 15th worst county for alcohol-attributable emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations, respectively. However, when looking solely at deaths caused by alcohol, Fond du Lac rests much closer to the state average of 55 alcohol deaths per 100,000 residents.
Opioid data is a bit more optimistic, with fewer overall hospitalizations and deaths in Fond du Lac County. In 2021, Wisconsin recorded 24.6 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to just 18.3 in Fond du Lac County. Fond du Lac also saw fewer hospitalizations than most other counties in the state.
Navigating all of this data is by no means easy, but it is extremely important for understanding the extent to which substance abuse and addiction affect the citizens of Fond du Lac. To have a more accurate picture of exactly how many people are directly impacted by substance abuse, let’s look at some of the most recent findings related to overdoses and deaths in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin:
- Annual Overdoses: 86
- Alcohol-Related Deaths: 34
- Opioid-Related Deaths: 10
- Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 3
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Fond du Lac
As it currently stands, Fond du Lac does not offer any city-level programs or initiatives to help combat substance abuse within its borders. While this is unfortunate, it is not all that uncommon. Many cities throughout Wisconsin rely on county and state-level resources for assistance. For example, Fond du Lac County offers its own outpatient programs for local residents to continue their recovery journey after detox. The county also has an assessment program designed to help people choose the best treatment option for their addiction.
As a complement to these county programs, Wisconsin runs the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA), which manages dozens of programs and initiatives across the state. Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is a truly beautiful city with so much potential to prosper in spite of economic setbacks. It’s a great place to live and an equally great place to visit. However, a combination of factors caused substance abuse to take hold in Fond du Lac and many cities throughout Wisconsin in recent years. As a result, hundreds of local families have to deal with overdose and death every single year.
But there is a glimmer of hope. There are many county and state-level resources that can help educate young people on the dangers of substance abuse, as well as programs to guide those in need of treatment toward facilities that can help. When you reach out to us at Midwest Detox, we work with you to come up with a plan for long-term recovery. Once you’ve admitted yourself, you will see that our state-of-the-art facility and highly-trained staff offer everything you need to detox and recover in peace. We work day and night to reduce withdrawal symptoms, monitor your progress, and equip you with 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.