Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin and the fifth-largest city in the Midwestern United States. Located in the southeastern part of the state, along the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee serves as the seat of Milwaukee County and an economic hub in the region. As of 2020, the city boasted a population of more than 577,000 full-time residents, making it the 31st most populous city in the country.

Though it is not always listed among America’s top cities, Milwaukee is a picturesque place to live, occupying nearly 100 square miles along Lake Michigan (to the east) and the Menomonee, Kinnickinnic, and Milwaukee rivers. Milwaukee may not be ideal in winter, but it is a great place for a summer vacation on the water, as the climate is generally mild during the summer months.

Milwaukee also has a long and storied history defined by a diverse population of immigrants. A large influx of German immigrants in the 19th and 20th Centuries led to Milwaukee becoming a center for breweries, a trend that has helped bolster the local economy to this day. Though Milwaukee is home to many large and profitable companies, it is perhaps best known as the headquarters of Harley-Davidson, Inc. Sports fans will undoubtedly know Milwaukee for its popular teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite being a vibrant, diverse, and economically strong city, Milwaukee is not without its issues. Like many major cities throughout the United States, Milwaukee was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. This only exacerbated crime, homelessness, and substance abuse.

Fortunately, there are various programs and rehab centers available to help Milwaukee residents recover from addiction, including Midwest Detox for drug and alcohol detoxification, as well as Wellbrook Recovery for inpatient residential rehabilitation. Both facilities are located in Brookfield, Wisconsin, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee. However, these organizations can only help people who are willing to take the first step to help themselves. Addiction is a difficult obstacle to overcome, and it’s far more common than many people realize.

So, in today’s guide, we are going to take a closer look at the facts and figures surrounding drug and alcohol abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, like many other cities in the United States, is facing a drug addiction crisis that has had significant impacts on public health, safety, and the overall well-being of the community. The opioid epidemic is a major concern, with prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl flooding the streets and making it harder for people to recover. Substance abuse involving other drugs, like methamphetamine and cocaine, is also on the rise in Milwaukee.

Several factors contributing to the drug addiction crisis in Milwaukee include:

• Over-Prescribing – As in other parts of the country, the over-prescription of opioid painkillers has played a role in the development of the opioid crisis. Many people get legitimate prescriptions for pain management, only to become addicted with regular use of the drugs.
• Illicit Drugs – The presence of drug trafficking organizations and the easy availability of illicit drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine have only exacerbated the situation in Milwaukee.
• Socioeconomic Factors – Poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to healthcare in the wake of COVID-19 have contributed to substance abuse and addiction, as many individuals in Milwaukee have turned to drugs as a coping mechanism.

Milwaukee Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Wisconsin

According to data collected by the state of Wisconsin and the CDC, Wisconsin ranks third in the entire country for the percentage of adults who consume alcohol. The U.S. average is just over 55% of adults, while the average in Wisconsin is nearly 65%. [1] Research also shows that adults in Wisconsin tend to binge drink more and downplay the effects of binge drinking. In 2020 alone, over 1,000 Wisconsin residents died from alcohol-related health problems.

Drug abuse in Wisconsin is equally grim. Between 2018 and 2020, the number of opioid-related deaths increased by 46.7%. In 2021, the state saw 3,133 emergency room visits and 1,427 deaths related to opioid abuse. [2] As the largest city in Wisconsin, Milwaukee accounts for a big percentage of these overdoses and deaths.

In 2021, Milwaukee recorded 644 overdose deaths, nearly all of which involved opioids. Almost half of these deaths also involved alcohol, to one degree or another. This means that, while Milwaukee makes up just 10% of the state’s population, it accounts for more than 45% of the state’s opioid deaths. These figures represent a 53% increase in deaths from 2019, and all research indicates that these numbers are continuing to increase in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin. [3]

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Milwaukee

The local and state government have initiated various programs and responses to the ongoing addiction crisis in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin. Some of these initiatives include:

• Public awareness campaigns
• Expansion of addiction treatment services, including Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS)
• Increased action by law enforcement
• Harm reduction strategies, including increased access to naloxone
• Statewide prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP)

Despite these efforts, drug addiction remains a significant challenge in Milwaukee. Continued collaboration among policymakers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and community members is crucial for effectively addressing this crisis and supporting individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction. Additionally, many residents of Milwaukee rely on private detox facilities like Midwest Detox and inpatient recovery facilities like Wellbrook Recovery for more hands-on support.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Addiction Statistics

As you can see, thousands of people in Milwaukee have an unhealthy relationship with drugs and/or alcohol. While there are other cities with more troubling statistics, the situation in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin is getting worse by the day. And though it may seem morbid to dwell on these facts, it is important to understand the hard data and how it affects the local community. So, here are a few of the most relevant findings from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as of 2022:

• Annual Overdoses: 2,113
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 15%
  • Illicit Substances: 31%
  • Prescription Drugs: 54%
• Annual Drug and Alcohol-Related Deaths: 678

Addiction Rehab and Detox in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee is an amazing city and a beautiful place to live and raise a family. Sadly, it is not immune to the substance abuse crisis gripping the state of Wisconsin and the rest of the nation. Fortunately, as dire as the situation may be, it is not hopeless. You can begin your journey to recovery with the help of Midwest Detox and Wellbrook Recovery.

Are you or a loved one struggling with substance abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin? It’s never too late to get a new lease on life. If you live in Brookfield or the greater Milwaukee area, you have options nearby. Midwest Detox offers the best drug and alcohol detox programs, ensuring that you can safely and comfortably overcome the symptoms of withdrawal, while Wellbrook Recovery provides residential inpatient recovery programs to help you achieve sobriety for the long term. Reach out to learn more and take the first step toward recovery.