Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Kenosha, Wisconsin
Though Kenosha is home to a strong manufacturing industry, it has struggled to overcome high poverty and crime rates. On average, the crime rate in Kenosha is 81% higher than in cities of comparable size across the nation. [1] And while the country has a poverty rate that rests around 11.6%, the poverty rate in Kenosha lands somewhere between 15% and 18%. [2] The combination of high poverty and crime has only contributed to the evergrowing addiction crisis in the city of Kenosha and the rest of Kenosha County.
While Kenosha does not see as many addiction-related hospitalizations and deaths as nearby cities like Milwaukee, it has still seen a rising number of substance abuse cases in recent years. Alcohol and opioids are among the city's primary problems, having caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospitalizations in the region.
Despite these hardships, it’s important to understand that the people of Kenosha do not have to continue to suffer in silence. Kenosha County offers various resources to help educate people on drug and alcohol addiction. Additionally, clinics like Midwest Detox are making it easier than ever to begin the recovery process in a safe, comfortable inpatient facility.
But even with all of these resources, the reality of substance abuse continues to take a toll on the people who call the city of Kenosha home. If you or a loved one is struggling to overcome addiction in Kenosha, it’s vital that you reach out for help as soon as possible. And to better understand the extent of substance abuse in southeastern Wisconsin, continue reading about the latest facts and statistics coming out of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Kenosha
With a population of just under 100,000 people, the city of Kenosha accounts for well over half of Kenosha County. However, most of the city’s data is collected at the county level, which can make it difficult to parse the numbers in Kenosha proper. Nonetheless, the county and state have provided enough information to get a clear picture of the devastation caused by alcohol, opioids, and other drugs.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Kenosha County saw 84 deaths from alcohol in 2022 alone. This figure was a significant decrease from the numbers seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Kenosha recorded its highest annual death count ever at 110. [3] The county also recorded more than 917 alcohol-related emergency room visits in 2021. Based on preliminary data, it’s estimated that roughly 1 and 10 Kenosha County residents who enter the emergency room for chronic alcohol abuse do not survive. [4]
Kenosha County recorded 39 opioid-related deaths in 2021. While the number of opioid deaths has varied over the past 6 years, current trends indicate that overdoses and deaths will continue to rise in 2023 and beyond. This is particularly evident when looking at the total number of opioid hospitalizations in Kenosha County, which rose from 23 in 2007 to 85 in 2021. [5]
And though alcohol and opioids are the two most heavily abused substances in Kenosha, there are other drugs that contribute to and even exacerbate the crisis. Chief among these substances is cocaine, followed by crystal meth. It’s also important to note that, while heroin is an opioid and the data related to heroin is typically lumped together with opioid statistics, Kenosha County has some of the highest heroin overdose rates in the state of Wisconsin. [6]
However, it’s important to remember that these are the figures for all of Kenosha County. Based on population data and the higher prevalence of addiction in Kenosha compared to the rest of the region, it is believed that Kenosha accounts for more than 70% of the alcohol and drug deaths in Kenosha County.
How Kenosha Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
In some respects, Kenosha County is on par with the rest of the state, particularly when it comes to drugs like meth and cocaine. However, the county has recorded higher rates of abuse and death caused by alcohol and opioids. This is particularly alarming for Kenosha considering that Wisconsin already has the highest rate of binge drinking in the nation. [7]
The latest data shows that roughly 55 out of every 100,000 Wisconsin residents die as a result of alcohol; the figure in Kenosha County is a staggering 65 deaths per 100,000 residents. The county also sees a high number of alcohol-related hospitalizations. In fact, of the state’s 72 counties, Kenosha has the 6th-most alcohol hospitalizations each year.
Opioid hospitalizations and deaths are also high in Kenosha, though they fall slightly below the state averages. For instance, Wisconsin recorded an average of 24.6 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 residents across the entire state in 2021, while Kenosha County recorded 23.1 The same year, the state recorded 53.7 opioid-related hospitalizations, while Kenosha County recorded 50.1.
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Kenosha
Kenosha puts a great deal of emphasis on stopping addiction before it starts. This often takes the form of programs to help educate youth on the dangers of substance abuse, like the county’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Awareness Campaigns. Various other programs, including the Concerned Citizen’s Coalition, help keep drugs and alcohol out of the hands of children. The Kenosha County Opioid Task Force actively pursues drug dealers to reduce opioids available on the streets. Lastly, the city makes use of several programs to help distribute life-saving drugs like Narcan.
At the state level, there are several larger initiatives to help prevent and treat addiction, including the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA). This organization manages many of the more targeted programs across the state, while also helping to fund local efforts to deter drug and alcohol abuse.
Unfortunately, all of these efforts have not been able to reduce the number of deaths and overdoses in Kenosha County. In fact, the numbers continue to rise almost every year. As a result, many residents of Kenosha turn to private detox facilities like Midwest Detox or inpatient recovery facilities like Wellbrook Recovery for help.
Drug and Alcohol Detox in Kenosha, Wisconsin
The people of Kenosha have suffered for many years with the burden of substance abuse. A combination of factors, including worsening poverty and crime rates, have only exacerbated the problem. But you don’t need to be just another statistic. If you choose to make a decision to better yourself and be free of your addiction, you could completely. turn your life around.
At Midwest Detox, we offer the best care to ensure that you can transition from drug or alcohol abuse to sober life in comfort. Our staff works day in and day out to provide you with the compassion you need to thrive. All it takes is the decision to start a new path.
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.