Overall, illicit drug use in Wisconsin falls below the national average. Still, the state has one of the highest rates of alcohol use disorder in the country. They’re also experiencing an increase in the number of individuals using heroin and prescription opioids. Other substances frequently used in Wisconsin include marijuana, cocaine, stimulants, and methamphetamine. However, Wisconsin addiction treatment options can be a great help for those who need them.
Wisconsin Substance Abuse Statistics
Unlike other states, in Wisconsin, the increase of illicit substances traveling through the state puts residents at risk for addiction. Not to mention, they’re also prone to drug-related criminal activities and accidents. For example, more people die from a drug overdose than from motor vehicle accidents or firearms.
- 15.8 death rate per 100,000 residents in 2019 was due to opioids.
- 44 emergency room visit rate per 100,000 residents in 2019 for opioid-related visits.
- 18% of opioid users within the last year were 50+ old.
- 1 in 6 Wisconsin residents was prescribed and used an opioid in the past year.
Addiction Treatment Services in Wisconsin
While there’s an evident rising drug addiction problem in Wisconsin, the state is also putting a great effort into developing excellent treatment services to help its residents. Still, there’s a gap in treatment that is interfering with some residents receiving the help they need to address their substance use disorder.
911 Good Samaritan Law
After the increase of prescription opioid abuse, in 2014, Wisconsin passed the 911 Good Samaritan Law. This law encourages witnesses of a drug overdose to call 911 without facing legal consequences from calling for medical assistance.
This is important since nearly 85% of drug overdoses have at least one witness. The law helps people contact emergency aid in the case of an overdose without the fear of facing criminal prosecution.
Additionally, the law allows access to naloxone to several organizations that can offer the drug to family members and friends from someone at risk. By 2014, the number of people trained in how to administer naloxone increased by 123%.
Needle Exchange Program
Because heroin is a sought-after drug in Wisconsin, the state chose to implement a needle exchange program. Thanks to this program, people who inject drugs can access new, sterile syringes in exchange for old and used syringes. Programs like these helped reduce HIV cases by about 6% among US cities implementing them.
High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program
Most cities with close proximity to larger metro areas implement HIDTA programs. In Wisconsin, this is known as the Milwaukee HIDTA. This program allows local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to share information to better detect and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. In Wisconsin, the seven counties share 22 law enforcement agencies working together to fight drug-related activity.
Tips for Choosing the Right Rehab Program in Wisconsin
Finding the right rehab program in Wisconsin is about doing your due diligence. Unfortunately, some addiction treatment centers only offer cookie-cutter solutions that don’t address the root of the addiction. Below are some things to look for and consider when choosing a rehab facility.
Accreditations
First of all, make sure the rehab center in Wisconsin you’re looking at has all the proper accreditations. Simultaneously, looking at the licenses and accreditations for their therapist is also essential. Check with the current state requirements regarding licensing and accreditations to ensure the rehab center you’re considering follows them.
Evidence-based Approaches
While alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and more can benefit the healing process, they cannot treat addiction alone. Look for treatments using evidence-based approaches that focus on behavioral therapy, medication treatment, and other treatment methods. Choosing evidence-based treatment also helps ensure your insurance policy will cover at least some of the treatment.
Payment Options
Some addiction treatment options in Wisconsin are publically-funded, state-funded, or operated by not-for-profit corporations. However, many treatment centers also accept private, state, and federal insurance.
Furthermore, you can always ask about their payment options as some centers may offer payment arrangements, rehab scholarships, and more. A reliable addiction treatment center will help you find a way to fund your treatment. The idea is to make help accessible and look past the money.
Length
Stay clear from any treatment center that promises a cure for addiction over a weekend or a week. Drug addiction recovery is often a long-term process that incorporates different types of therapy.
Length of treatment can be anywhere from 30 days for short-term recovery programs, 90-days for longer treatments, and over 180 days for long-term treatment programs. A high-quality treatment center will not force you to fit into a specific timeline. Instead, they’ll work with you to help you find the best route. This includes helping you choose between an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment center.
Wisconsin Treatment Options to Consider
In reality, there isn’t a single path to addiction recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan incorporates various therapies and approaches that help someone understand their addiction and address any co-occurring disorders.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs
Most drug and alcohol addiction recovery journeys start with detox. Because many of these substances cause physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, it’s paramount to have medical assistance and support to do so with comfort. Choosing to detox at a treatment facility also prevents relapse.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Those who stop alcohol or opioids may need a medication-assisted program to start their rehab journey. Various FDA-approved medications help reduce cravings and lessen the dependence on these highly addictive drugs. However, keep in mind that MAT alone isn’t enough to treat addiction. It needs to be paired with supportive services and therapy to help the recovery process.
Personalized Behavioral Therapy
Substance abuse treatment incorporates individual therapy and group therapy sessions throughout the treatment. Both use a combination of various behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Sometimes treatments include motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), and other behavioral therapy forms that address addiction’s many variables.
Dual Diagnosis Programs
Finally, most people with a substance abuse problem also have a co-occurring mental health condition. Anxiety, depression, psychosis, and personality disorders all co-occur with substance abuse. Dual diagnosis programs treat these conditions simultaneously to promote a better and prolonged recovery.
Should I Travel Outside of Wisconsin for Addiction Treatment?
There’s no doubt that Wisconsin offers plenty of resources for addicts and their families looking for help. However, sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. For anyone who’s currently living in a toxic environment prone to abuse, substance misuse, and other triggers, going away for treatment may help.
Research shows that a change of scenery can provide a clean slate for people; benefits include:
- Creating a distance between you and triggers or bad influences
- Preventing you from going home or leaving against medical advice
- Offering the space to focus solely on your health and wellbeing
- Delivering better chances for long-term recovery and sobriety
In our Boynton Beach drug rehab center, we receive people from every city in Wisconsin and across the country. We often receive individuals seeking addiction treatment from cities like Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, as these are the cities most affected by drug trafficking.
Finding Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please know that there’s help available. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we receive patients from all over Wisconsin all the time. We also work with your health insurance provider to help find out what they will cover. Our addiction specialists will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the core of your addiction. If you need help finding addiction treatment, contact us today to start the process.
