Drug and Alcohol Detox Guide For Union Grove, Wisconsin
Union Grove is a small, tranquil village in Racine County, located about 33 minutes south of Downtown Milwaukee and 20 minutes north of the border between Wisconsin and Illinois. Known for its small-town charm and lush greenery, Union Grove is home to just 5,085 full-time residents. This makes it one of the larger villages in the state, but still smaller than most towns and cities in the area.
That said, Union Grove’s population has grown consistently over the past few decades, from just 3,562 in 1990 to 5,085 in 2022. This represents a total growth of 40% or roughly 1.33% per year. At the current growth rate, Union Grove may have a high enough population density to be incorporated as a town or city in the coming years.
What’s most intriguing about Union Grove is that, despite its small size, it represents one of the wealthiest municipalities in the region. The median household income in Union Grove is $103,005, roughly 30% higher than the state median. And while the poverty rate is still somewhat high in Union Grove at 9.3%, it is still lower than Wisconsin’s poverty rate of 10.7%. [1]
Despite the strong economy in Union Grove, the village continues to struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. Over the years, addiction has become increasingly common in Union Grove and Racine County. As a result, dozens of individuals and families in the village fight addiction in silence, with few local resources to help them recover.
Fortunately, with clinics like Midwest Detox in nearby Brookfield, Union Grove residents can begin their recovery journey 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 Union Grove, Wisconsin, and are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you should consider seeking out professional help as soon as possible. It could mean the difference between life and death. That said, we understand that starting the recovery process is not always easy.
Continue reading to learn more about the current substance abuse crisis in Union Grove, and the resources available to help residents fight addiction.
The Ongoing Substance Abuse Crisis in Union Grove
Union Grove lacks the resources to combat substance abuse on its own. Like many small towns and villages in Wisconsin, Union Grove depends on the county (in this case, Racine County) to collect, manage, and even analyze its substance abuse data. As a result, the substance abuse cases for Union Grove are combined with the data collected from other nearby villages, towns, and cities within the county limits, including larger municipalities like Racine, Mt. Pleasant, and Waterford. Even though the data includes substance abuse cases from dozens of towns, villages, and cities in the county, it’s still important to examine county-level data to better understand the current crisis happening in the village of Union Grove.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Racine has a substantial and growing problem with alcohol abuse. Though emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations involving alcohol overdose have recently declined, the death toll continues to rise. [2] [3] You can see a full breakdown of these statistics in the table below:
| Alcohol Statistics in Racine County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 1222 | 1245 | 54 |
| 2015 | 1364 | 1328 | 52 |
| 2016 | 1436 | 1252 | 51 |
| 2017 | 1332 | 1315 | 59 |
| 2018 | 1433 | 1248 | 45 |
| 2019 | 1478 | 1358 | 63 |
| 2020 | 1213 | 1211 | 83 |
| 2021 | 1113 | 1146 | 64 |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | 79 |
| *2023 | N/A | N/A | 30 |
*Statistics for 2023 are still preliminary.
As you can see from the table above, alcohol-attributable emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations peaked in 2019 before seeing a decline during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2014 and 2021, emergency room visits declined by 8.9%, while inpatient hospitalizations declined by 7.9%. Hospitalization data for 2022 and 2023 has not been made available yet, which makes it more difficult to trace the post-pandemic trajectory of alcohol abuse.
However, one of the most important statistics to consider when analyzing substance abuse data is the number and rate of deaths. Between 2014 and 2022, alcohol-attributable deaths increased by 46.2%. The declining numbers of patients and rising number of deaths indicate that more people are choosing to forego treatment or are simply unable to access treatment in time during an alcohol overdose. It’s important to note that the alcohol death data for 2023 is still preliminary and only accounts for deaths recorded between January and June of 2023. Based on current estimates, alcohol deaths for 2023 may meet or even exceed the deaths recorded in previous years.
Opioid hospitalizations and deaths have followed a similar trend in Racine County. Opioid-attributable emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations have declined in recent years, while the number of opioid deaths continues to increase. [4] [5] You can see the annual figures for opioid abuse in Racine County in the table below:
| Opioid Statistics in Racine County | |||
| Year | Emergency Room Visits | Inpatient Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 2014 | 40 | 59 | 37 |
| 2015 | 60 | 48 | 30 |
| 2016 | 78 | 66 | 22 |
| 2017 | 103 | 53 | 44 |
| 2018 | 67 | 52 | 21 |
| 2019 | 106 | 56 | 26 |
| 2020 | 94 | 49 | 49 |
| 2021 | 83 | 46 | 54 |
| 2022 | 75 | 39 | N/A |
Between 2014 and 2022, opioid-attributable emergency room visits increased by 87.5%, while inpatient hospitalizes declined by 33.8%. However, it’s important to note that both types of hospitalizations peaked in 2019 and have since been in decline, just like alcohol hospitalizations in Racine County. While 2022 data pertaining to opioid deaths is not yet available, opioid deaths in Racine County increased by 45.9% between 2014 and 2021.
Like most other municipalities in the state, Union Grove and Racine County see the most substance abuse cases involving alcohol and/or prescription opioids. However, other drugs and addictive substances have only exacerbated the crisis and contributed to even more deaths, according to the growing statistics collected in Racine County. The county sees dozens of deaths every year resulting from crystal meth, cocaine, and heroin abuse. [6]
Since Racine County sees a very high number of substance abuse cases each year, it only makes sense to assume that Union Grove records similarly high numbers. However, the reality is that Union Grove makes up a very small part of Racine County. When looking at population alone, Union Grove accounts for just 2.5% of the county population. Cities like Racine contribute far more substance abuse cases to the county numbers than villages like Union Grove. Based on local coroner’s reports, it is estimated that roughly 4% of the substance abuse cases and deaths recorded in Racine County originate in Union Grove.
How Union Grove Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
Union Grove sees a very small number of hospitalizations and deaths compared to the entire state of Wisconsin. However, when considering the small population, Union Grove and the rest of Racine County has a relatively high rate of alcohol and opioid abuse cases. For example, Racine County ranks as the 5th worst county in the state (out of 72 counties) for alcohol emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations.
This is partly due to the unusually high number of cases recorded preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, alcohol emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations have largely declined, but the numbers are still very high compared to most other counties in the state. The county does a slightly better job of preventing deaths involving alcohol than some other counties in the state, as it ranks as the 19th worst county in Wisconsin for annual alcohol deaths. However, all of these figures taken together are particularly alarming when looking at the bigger picture in Wisconsin, as the state is one of the worst in the nation for binge drinking. [7]
Racine County is not quite as bad when it comes to opioids, but the data is still not promising. The county sees an annual average of 39.6 opioid emergency room visits per 100,000 residents, compared to 43.9 in Wisconsin. Alternatively, Racine County records an average of 20.6 inpatient hospitalizations per 100,000 residents, compared to 17 in Wisconsin. Most importantly, Racine County has a higher average annual death rate involving opioids than the rest of Wisconsin; 27.5 per 100,000 residents compared to 24.6 statewide.
Since the village of Union Grove accounts for such a small part of Racine County, it’s difficult to know exactly how well these figures align with the current state of substance abuse in Union Grove. To get a more accurate picture of the direct impact of substance abuse at the village level, let’s look at some of the most recent findings related to overdoses and deaths in Union Grove, Wisconsin:
- Annual Overdoses: 28
- Alcohol-Related Deaths: 3
- Opioid-Related Deaths: 2
- Non-Opioid Drug-Related Deaths: 1
Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Efforts in Union Grove
While Union Grove does not have any programs that directly support people struggling with substance abuse, it is home to the Southern Wisconsin Center. The SWC is a place that helps adults with intellectual disabilities or mental health issues to access treatment and supportive services, some of which involve treatment for substance abuse issues. Aside from this center, Union Grove depends on programs and initiatives managed at the county level. Racine County offers various services to those who qualify based on need and income, including outpatient evaluations and counseling.
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. Union Grove 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 Union Grove, Wisconsin
Union Grove may be a small and prosperous place to live, but addiction still looms as a dark cloud over the village. Dozens of individuals and families are affected every single year. Despite county-wide efforts to curb alcohol and opioid deaths, the situation continues to worsen. As a result, many people in the village of Union Grove are looking outside the county for support.
Thankfully, there is help close by. Midwest Detox is a private detox clinic in Brookfield (just a 45-minute drive from Union Grove) that offers enhanced care and detox services for those struggling with a substance use disorder. At Midwest Detox, we ensure that you remain comfortable and safe throughout the entire process. Additionally, we provide top-notch care and attention to help give you the skills you need to continue your recovery in rehab and beyond.
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.