Milwaukee

Drug And Alcohol Addiction In Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Like many other cities and states throughout the United States, Milwaukee is no stranger to the Opioid Epidemic; in 2020, 424 lives were lost due to Opioid-related deaths throughout Milwaukee County—just over a 3rd of the total 1,227 fatalities the entire state saw in the same year. Nationally, the state of Wisconsin is ranked as the drunkest in the nation with 82% of the country’s highest alcohol-consuming counties.

While there are limited treatment facilities in the immediate area, there are many in surrounding regions that specialize in various forms of addiction and abuse rehab and recovery services.

Alcohol Abuse In Milwaukee

1 in 4 Wisconsin adults binge drink, and many cities in the state boast high rates of alcohol abuse. Wisconsin’s drinking culture includes relaxed attitudes towards alcohol which can influence residents to explore drinking, potentially leading to heavy drinking and alcoholism.

Milwaukee in particular has a reputation for excessive drinking. 70% of Milwaukee adults have a minimum of 1 drink in a 30-day period, and many have at least 1 to 2 drinks daily. 22% of adult Milwaukee residents binge drink (4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more for men within a 2 hour period), and 7.5% are heavy drinkers. These behaviors are all problematic, as they greatly increase the likelihood of future alcoholism.

Some Milwaukee natives violate liquor laws or drink while conducting daily activities. Milwaukee County endured 10,897 alcohol-related hospitalizations in 2014. In the same year, 386 per 100,000 people in Milwaukee County were arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Adolescent Alcohol Abuse In Milwaukee

Surveys consistently reveal that high numbers of Wisconsin’s youth experiment with drugs and alcohol. Underage drinking is common among adolescents aged 12 to 20. In some ways Wisconsin’s underage drinking rates are slightly lower than those of the nation as a whole, but they are still very high. 33% of Wisconsin adolescents currently drink alcohol, and 18% engage in binge drinking

Several studies have found that some bars have relaxed attitudes when it comes to adolescent drinking in the state. 15, 16 and 17-year olds can often consume a beer with parental approval, exposing them to all of the risks of alcohol before the legal age. There are many risks of underaged drinking in particular, such as higher rates of drunk driving and alcohol-related injuries. Even worse, the younger an individual is when they start drinking, the more likely they are to develop alcohol tolerance and eventually alcoholism later in life.

Find The Help You Need Today

Although substance abuse is a complex problem, help is available. If you, a friend or a loved one suffers from addiction in Milwaukee, there is nothing to fear. Contact a treatment provider today to discover available treatment options. Don’t wait. Take control, and get the help you or a loved one deserve.