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Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Manitowoc sits on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. As the seat of Manitowoc County, it is the largest city in the area, with a population of 34,547 (as of 2021). [1] While Manitowoc is a peaceful waterfront city, it still has pretty easy access to larger metropolitan areas; it is just a 45-minute drive to nearby Green Bay, and a little over an hour's drive to Milwaukee.

In spite of the great location and employment rates that are on the rise, the city of Manitowoc has struggled to overcome the economic setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Manitowoc has a poverty rate of 13.1%, which is slightly higher than the nationwide average of 12.8%. [2] And though the cost of living is lower than the national average, many Manitowoc residents live paycheck to paycheck, as the median household income is just $61,454, compared to the median household income of $67,080 across all of Wisconsin. [3]

Economic anxiety and greater accessibility to both prescription and illicit drugs have only fueled the ongoing substance abuse crisis in Manitowoc. Despite county and state-level initiatives to combat substance abuse and provide an easier path to treatment, many people continue to fight addiction alone. Fortunately, 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 Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Manitowoc, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.

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    The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Manitowoc

    The city of Manitowoc has a pretty stable population of 34,547, which accounts for 42.38% of the entire county population (81,505 as of 2021). This is an important factor to consider, as most of the city’s substance abuse data is collected and maintained at the county level. As a result, there is a disparity between the number of substance abuse cases originating in the city of Manitowoc and those reported at the county level.

    In spite of this disparity, it’s extremely useful to evaluate the state of the ongoing substance abuse crisis in Manitowoc by examining county-level data. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Manitowoc County’s experience with alcohol abuse has been somewhat different from many other counties throughout the state. The county has recorded an increasing number of inpatient hospitalizations resulting from alcohol abuse, a trend that is relatively uncommon in Wisconsin. At the same time, the number of emergency room visits caused by alcohol has been comparatively low and consistent over the years. Between 2014 and 2022, the number of alcohol-attributable deaths increased by 25.6%. [4] [5] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:

    Alcohol Statistics in Manitowoc County
    Year Emergency Room Visits Inpatient Hospitalizations Deaths
    2014 366 373 39
    2015 377 363 44
    2016 339 433 28
    2017 314 389 31
    2018 341 456 33
    2019 376 504 38
    2020 310 426 40
    2021 339 485 47
    2022 N/A N/A 49

    As you can see from the table, alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths have seen greater variance that has not always been linear in nature. For example, alcohol emergency room visits have declined somewhat over the years, with seemingly random spikes in 2015 and 2019. Alternatively, inpatient hospitalizations caused by alcohol abuse have increased more substantially, though the highest rate of these hospitalizations occurred just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, alcohol-attributable deaths have steadily risen, though 2015 also saw a spike in deaths that would make it the worst year for alcohol-attributable deaths until 2021. Preliminary data indicates that there were only 6 alcohol deaths in January and February of 2023, but if the current trend continues, Manitowoc County could still see more alcohol deaths in 2023 than in previous years.

    Manitowoc County is not as affected by opioids as many other counties throughout the state, nor does the opioid epidemic result in as many deaths in the county as the alcohol addiction crisis. Nonetheless, opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths have become more prevalent in recent years, but once again, the data is not as clear in Manitowoc. For example, the number of emergency room visits due to opioid overdoses has risen drastically, while the number of inpatient hospitalizations has declined. Opioid deaths have varied substantially from year to year, but the county still saw an 18.18% increase in opioid deaths between 2014 and 2021. [6] [7] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Manitowoc County in the table below:

    Opioid Statistics in Manitowoc County
    Year Emergency Room Visits Inpatient Hospitalizations Deaths
    2014 18 19 11
    2015 28 25 15
    2016 34 24 8
    2017 35 22 9
    2018 39 10 6
    2019 43 15 11
    2020 48 13 16
    2021 41 16 13
    2022 43 18 N/A

    While opioids do play a substantial role in the substance abuse crisis in Manitowoc County, they do not result in as many deaths as alcohol does. However, the number of deaths and emergency room visits resulting from opioid abuse peaked during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s unclear whether the county will see these figures decline in 2023 and beyond.

    Like most counties throughout the nation, Manitowoc County sees alcohol and opioids as the primary drivers of addiction and substance abuse. However, there are other drugs being abused in the city of Manitowoc and the surrounding area. While Manitowoc does not see many cases of cocaine abuse, it is among the worst counties in the state for meth abuse. [8]

    So what does this actually mean for the city of Manitowoc? Thus far, we have largely focused on the statistics for all of Manitowoc County. Manitowoc accounts for 42.38% of the county population, but it is estimated that more than half of the hospitalizations and substance abuse cases in the county originate in the city of Manitowoc.

    How Manitowoc Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin

    Manitowoc fares better than the rest of Wisconsin when it comes to opioid abuse, but it is among the worst counties in Wisconsin for alcohol abuse. Considering that Wisconsin has more binge drinkers than any other state in the nation, this means that Manitowoc’s relationship with alcohol is particularly alarming. [9]

    In 2021, Manitowoc County had an average of 58.1 alcohol deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to the state average of 55. This ranked it as the 26th worst county in the state for alcohol deaths (out of a total of 72 counties). However, the county sees far fewer opioid deaths than the state average. The same year, Manitowoc County recorded an average of 16.1 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to 24.6 statewide.

    This data should give you a better understanding of how Manitowoc County compares to the rest of Wisconsin (and the nation). However, it’s important to explore the available statistics for the city of Manitowoc and see exactly how substance abuse affects local residents. 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 Manitowoc, Wisconsin:

    • Annual Overdoses: 198
    • Alcohol-Related Deaths: 30
    • Opioid-Related Deaths: 7
    • Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 3

    Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Manitowoc

    The city of Manitowoc does not offer any preventative substance abuse programs or treatment options to its citizens. However, Manitowoc County funds the Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Services (AODA) unit, which helps provide outpatient treatment and group therapy to those struggling with addiction and helps monitor the progress and commitment of those undergoing court-ordered treatment plans. The county also holds a weekly “Drug Court,” a multi-phase program designed to encourage accountability and rehabilitation among those addicted to drugs.

    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. Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc, Wisconsin

    Manitowoc is a great waterfront city with beautiful views and easy access to major cities throughout eastern Wisconsin. Even though Manitowoc offers families a great place to live, it still sees hundreds of overdose cases every year. And in spite of county and state efforts to deter substance abuse and guide people toward treatment, the city continues to record more deaths with each passing month.

    As bleak as this might sound, there is hope. Thanks to detox clinics like Midwest Detox, Manitowoc residents can get the help they desperately need. At Midwest Detox, we offer top-of-the-line facilities and trained staff to ensure that you are comfortable and safe as you cleanse your body of toxic and addictive substances. Not only do we do everything in our power to keep you secure and feeling at ease during your stay at our detox clinic, but we also work to 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.