Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Greenfield, Wisconsin
Greenfield is a small commuter city located southwest of downtown Milwaukee. Though it is part of Milwaukee County, Greenfield is distinct from many suburbs surrounding the city, insofar as it is primarily a residential municipality with few commercial areas. In fact, the city stands as a beautiful combination of peaceful suburbs and fast-paced city life, with quick and easy access to Milwaukee. The aptly named city of Greenfield also benefits from various natural sites, hiking trails, and public parks.
Despite the relatively small population and lack of commercial and industrial sectors, Greenfield offers a comfortable place to live for thousands of individuals and families. The cost of living is substantially lower than many other suburbs of Milwaukee, making it easier for many families to get by with less. In fact, the average household income in Greenfield rested close to $61,998 in 2020, compared to $67,080 across all of Wisconsin. [1] [2] Despite the relatively low household income for a small city near Milwaukee, Greenfield boasts a poverty rate of just 8.27%, compared to 10.8% in Wisconsin and 12.8% nationwide. [3]
Sadly, these statistics belie some of the most pressing issues faced by the city government of Greenfield and its citizens. Despite a population that has remained nearly stagnant over the past three decades, hospitalizations and deaths related to substance abuse have been on the rise. Like many other small cities in Wisconsin and the rest of the nation, Greenfield was also gravely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city saw increasing rates of substance abuse and addiction during this period, many of which could be attributed to the social and economic anxiety that escalated throughout 2020 and 2021.
Despite the dour outlook for Greenfield, Wisconsin, the city is not beyond hope. Many local efforts are already underway to help stem the rising tide of drug and alcohol abuse cases. 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 Greenfield, Wisconsin. Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Greenfield, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Greenfield
As of 2021, Greenfield had a population of 37,352 full-time residents. This is a slight decline from the peaks the city saw in 2020 (37,738), but the city’s population has remained pretty stable and without substantial growth or decline for more than 30 years. In fact, the city of Greenfield had 33,337 residents in 1990, which means that it only grew by a little over 11% in the past three decades. Nonetheless, this growth still puts Greenfield in a better position than nearby Milwaukee, which actually saw a 9.3% decline in its population over the same period.
But the reality is that Greenfield is a very small part of Milwaukee County, and nearly all of its substance abuse statistics are calculated at the county level. To make the data more difficult to parse, Greenfield only accounts for about 4% of the population of Milwaukee County (though that percentage is expected to rise as the county population continues to decline). This can make it difficult to determine exactly how many substance abuse cases originate in the city of Greenfield, as opposed to other cities and municipalities throughout Milwaukee County.
Nonetheless, it’s important to evaluate county-level data, not just because it includes the relevant substance abuse cases from the city of Greenfield, but also because it provides a larger picture of the substance abuse crisis in the surrounding area. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Milwaukee County has seen its cases of alcohol abuse rise at an alarming rate. The number of alcohol-related emergency room visits saw a sharp spike in Milwaukee County in 2018, before returning to rates closer to what had been seen in years past.
Between 2014 and 2021, the number of inpatient hospitalizations related to alcohol remained relatively constant. However, the truth of the crisis can be seen in statistics pertaining to alcohol-related deaths. Despite a declining population, Milwaukee County saw the number of alcohol deaths rise by 78.8% between 2014 and 2022. [4] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:
| Alcohol Statistics in Milwaukee County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 9,743 | 7,102 | 407 |
| 2015 | 10,642 | 7,865 | 430 |
| 2016 | 10,671 | 8,239 | 505 |
| 2017 | 11,729 | 8,257 | 518 |
| 2018 | 14,567 | 8,335 | 527 |
| 2019 | 9,719 | 8,015 | 528 |
| 2020 | 8,708 | 7,659 | 687 |
| 2021 | 8,146 | 7,597 | 699 |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | 728 |
As you can see from the table, alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise in Milwaukee County for years. However, there was a sharp increase in deaths at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Sadly, that increase has not let up in the years since. While the latest data is still preliminary, Milwaukee County recorded at least 99 alcohol deaths as of February 2023, and if the current trends continue, Milwaukee County can expect to see as many deaths in 2023 as it did in 2022, if not more. [5]
While alcohol is the most dangerous substance that is abused in Milwaukee County, opioids come in at a close second. Opioid abuse is extremely prevalent in Wisconsin, particularly in larger cities like Milwaukee. Between 2014 and 2022, Milwaukee County recorded an increase in opioid-attributable emergency room visits of 31.5%, while the number of opioid inpatient hospitalizations decreased by 36.2% over the same period. Though data for 2022 and 2023 is still preliminary, the number of opioid-related deaths in Milwaukee County increased by 146.2% between 2014 and 2021. [6] [7] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Milwaukee County in the table below:
| Opioid Statistics in Milwaukee County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 472 | 458 | 212 |
| 2015 | 651 | 504 | 218 |
| 2016 | 798 | 483 | 288 |
| 2017 | 1,011 | 490 | 301 |
| 2018 | 790 | 337 | 289 |
| 2019 | 797 | 342 | 326 |
| 2020 | 869 | 323 | 427 |
| 2021 | 729 | 314 | 522 |
| 2022 | 621 | 292 | N/A |
It’s difficult to determine the relationship between the rise of emergency room visits, the decline of inpatient hospitalizations, and the even larger increase in the number of opioid deaths in Milwaukee County. However, these figures may indicate that fewer people in the region are seeking out inpatient care, and are instead forced to go to the emergency room for sudden and unexpected overdoses. The rising number of deaths also points to a tendency to avoid formal substance abuse treatment.
And though most deaths are caused by alcohol, heroin, prescription opioids, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, Milwaukee County also sees deaths from other types of drugs, particularly cocaine. In fact, Milwaukee County has the highest rates of cocaine deaths in the state. [8]
But what does this mean for Greenfield? While all of Milwaukee County sees thousands of deaths every year, Greenfield only accounts for 4% of the county population. Based on city coroner reports, it is estimated that roughly 3.3% of all substance abuse deaths in the county originate in Greenfield. However, it’s important to note that Greenfield contributes a higher percentage of heroin deaths than most other cities in the county. In fact, Greenfield may contribute as much as 10% of the total heroin deaths recorded in Milwaukee County each year.
How Greenfield Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
Greenfield is on par with the rest of the state when it comes to alcohol abuse, but this still puts the city in dangerous territory. Wisconsin is one of the worst states in the country for alcohol abuse, with 1 in 4 adults engaging in binge drinking on a regular basis. [9] While Greenfield only makes up a small part of the county, Milwaukee County records higher rates of opioid deaths, cocaine deaths, and alcohol deaths than any other county in Wisconsin. For example, the state of Wisconsin recorded an average of 24.6 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021, compared to 34 in Milwaukee County. Similarly, Wisconsin had an average of 53 alcohol deaths per 100,000 residents the same year, compared to 72.3 in Milwaukee County.
Figuring out what all of this means for the citizens of Greenfield can be challenging. However, it is extremely important to understand exactly how substance abuse affects local families. 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 Greenfield, Wisconsin:
- Annual Overdoses: 62
- Alcohol-Related Deaths: 23
- Opioid-Related Deaths: 19
- Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 1
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Greenfield
Greenfield is one of the more proactive cities in Milwaukee County for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Due to the high rates of heroin overdose, the city government implemented the C.A.A.R.E. (Cops Assisting Addiction Recovery) program. Rather than focusing on prosecuting heroin addicts for illicit drug abuse, the police department has adopted a model that focuses on providing referrals to treatment facilities. People struggling with heroin addiction can also voluntarily turn themselves in at the Greenfield Police Department and turn in any opiates or drug paraphernalia without fear of arrest.
At the county level, Milwaukee County offers various addiction treatment resources via the Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS). As a complement to these city and county programs, Wisconsin runs the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA), which manages dozens of programs and initiatives across the state. Greenfield 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 Greenfield, Wisconsin
Greenfield is a tranquil city surrounded by natural beauty, located just minutes away from downtown Milwaukee. Despite the peaceful and neighborly feel of the residential city, Greenfield has struggled to reign in the growing number of substance abuse cases. Alcohol and heroin have been particularly tough on the citizens of Greenfield, causing dozens of overdoses and deaths each year.
Fortunately, there is plenty of hope to be found for those who are suffering. Not only does the city make it easier for heroin addicts to seek out help without fear of incarceration, but locals can also turn to Midwest Detox to jumpstart the recovery process. Whether you’re addicted to alcohol, opioids, or another type of drug, Midwest Detox can offer modern facilities and trained substance abuse professionals to help you recover in peace and comfort. 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.