Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Neenah, Wisconsin
Located along the pristine shores of Lake Winnebago, Neenah is a smaller city in Wisconsin that occupies the land area north and east of the town of Neenah, as well as the southern half of Doty Island. The distinction between Neenah (the town) and Neenah (the city) is important, as they are politically and geographically distinct. The town only has a population of approximately 3,200, and it borders the city from the west and south, and partially from the east. Alternatively, the city of Neenah has a population of 27,361 and occupies the more densely populated suburbs and commercial districts that merge with the urban settings of Fox Crossing and Menasha. Neenah is also one of the “Fox Cities” of northeast Wisconsin, as it borders a segment of the Fox River.
Despite a growing population, the city of Neenah has struggled economically, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has a median household income of $64,617, compared to the state median of $67,080. Moreover, the poverty rate in Neenah is 11%, compared to 10.7% statewide.[1]
Economic anxiety has only fueled the substance abuse crisis that has been boiling over in Neenah and the rest of Winnebago County for years. Fortunately, with clinics like Midwest Detox nearby, residents of Neenah, Wisconsin can begin their recovery with the assistance of trained professionals. This way, they have a much better chance of getting sober and staying sober for good.
If you or a loved one live in the city of Neenah and are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we are here to help. Not only can we give you a place to detox in comfort, but we can also provide you with the data you need to stay informed. Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Neenah, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Neenah
Neenah has seen a slight uptick in its population over the last few years. This trend has been similar across all of Winnebago County. Between 1990 and 2021, the city of Neenah grew from 23,442 to 27,525 residents. Over the same period, Winnebago County grew from 252,913 to 283,119. This means that Neenah accounts for about 9.5% of the county population. Why does this matter? Because all of Neenah’s substance abuse data is collected at the county level. While this makes it tricky to differentiate county-level statistics from city-level statistics, it also provides a more accurate picture of substance abuse across the entire region surrounding Lake Winnebago.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the number of alcohol-related emergency room visits has risen in recent years, while the number of alcohol-related inpatient hospitalizations has declined. And though the number of annual deaths attributable to alcohol remained consistent between 2014 and 2019, there was a sharp increase in alcohol deaths in Winnebago County during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:
| Alcohol Statistics in Winnebago County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 641 | 853 | 34 |
| 2015 | 635 | 903 | 33 |
| 2016 | 723 | 917 | 38 |
| 2017 | 731 | 883 | 36 |
| 2018 | 839 | 912 | 35 |
| 2019 | 742 | 842 | 32 |
| 2020 | 748 | 872 | 56 |
| 2021 | 806 | 826 | 69 |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | 55 |
As you can see from the table, alcohol emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations are inversely related; the former has increased drastically since 2014, while the latter has seen a moderate decline. It’s difficult to determine the cause of this issue, but it may indicate that more residents of Winnebago County are declining to seek out treatment, and instead waiting until their condition requires urgent care. Despite the changes in hospitalization statistics, alcohol-attributable deaths changed very little between 2014 and 2019. Like many cities in Wisconsin, the number of annual alcohol deaths skyrocketed during the pandemic, more than doubling between 2019 and 2021.
However, there are some signs that alcohol deaths in Winnebago County are declining since the peaks seen during the pandemic. The number of deaths dropped to 55 in 2022, and the county only recorded 11 deaths during the first quarter of 2023. It’s still too early to tell, but this could be a sign that Winnebago County will continue to see fewer alcohol deaths in the years to come.
The opioid epidemic in Winnebago County has followed a similar trajectory. Opioid-related emergency room visits have gone up, while inpatient hospitalizations have varied over the years. Additionally, opioid-attributable deaths remained relatively low between 2014 and 2019, but they saw a sudden spike beginning in 2020.[4][5] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Winnebago County in the table below:
| Opioid Statistics in Winnebago County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 32 | 27 | 24 |
| 2015 | 35 | 28 | 15 |
| 2016 | 27 | 32 | 20 |
| 2017 | 46 | 23 | 22 |
| 2018 | 24 | 33 | 18 |
| 2019 | 48 | 27 | 13 |
| 2020 | 42 | 38 | 33 |
| 2021 | 69 | 27 | 31 |
| 2022 | 54 | 28 | N/A |
While alcohol deaths seem to be declining now that the pandemic is largely in the rearview mirror, the same is not true of opioid deaths in Winnebago County. Preliminary data indicates that opioid deaths are continuing to go up, even now that the anxiety caused by the pandemic has subsided. Winnebago also sees slightly higher rates of non-opioid deaths and multi-drug overdoses than many other counties in Wisconsin. The county records about 2.1 cocaine-attributable deaths per 100,000 residents, per year, and 4.3 meth-attributable deaths per 100,000 residents, per year.[6]
Naturally, it would be unfair to assume that all of these hospitalizations, overdoses, and deaths happen in the city of Neenah. As previously mentioned, Neenah accounts for about 9.5% of the county population. In spite of its small size in relation to the rest of the county, it is estimated that more than 18% of all substance abuse cases recorded in the county originate in the city of Neenah.
How Neenah Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
Winnebago County is among the worst counties in the state for alcohol abuse. Considering that Wisconsin has a serious binge drinking problem,[7] Neenah and the rest of Winnebago County have a dangerous relationship with alcohol that far outpaces most other places throughout the country. As of 2021, Winnebago County is the 9th worst county in Wisconsin for alcohol emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations. When it comes to alcohol-attributable deaths, Winnebago is the 29th worst county in the state. The county records an average of 56.1 alcohol deaths per 100,000 residents, which is slightly higher than the state average of 55.
Fortunately, data related to opioid abuse in Winnebago County paints a more promising picture. Winnebago County sees an average of 18.2 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to the average of 24.6 statewide. Similarly, the county sees an average of 32.3 opioid emergency room visits per 100,000 residents, compared to 43.9 in Wisconsin. Lastly, Winnebago County has an average of 16.8 opioid inpatient hospitalizations per 100,000 residents, compared to 17 in all of Wisconsin.
But to truly understand the state of substance abuse in Neenah, it’s important to separate the city-level data from the county-level statistics. So, let’s look at some of the most recent findings related to overdoses and deaths in Neenah, Wisconsin:
- Annual Overdoses: 83
- Alcohol-Related Deaths: 10
- Opioid-Related Deaths: 7
- Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 1
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Neenah
Unfortunately, the city of Neenah does not currently offer any programs to prevent or combat the ongoing substance abuse crisis. Like many smaller cities in Wisconsin, Neenah relies on county and state programs to help its residents struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. Winnebago County offers several programs aimed at harm reduction, particularly where opioids are concerned.
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. Neenah residents also seek out help from detox clinics like Midwest Detox, as well as quality inpatient rehab clinics like Wellbrook Recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Detox in Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah is a truly amazing city with plenty of charm and natural beauty, but it has definitely struggled to overcome economic anxieties and substance abuse in recent years. The lack of local resources has only made the struggle that much harder for alcohol and drug abusers in the city. As hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise, more and more people are looking for a place where they can find adequate treatment.
Fortunately, there is hope for Neenah residents. Thanks to detox clinics like Midwest Detox, local residents can get the help they need from caring and compassionate substance abuse professionals. At Midwest Detox, we offer top-of-the-line facilities and treatment programs for people struggling with mild, moderate, and severe substance use disorders. We have the expertise to manage your withdrawal symptoms and the skills to prepare you for the road ahead.
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.