Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Kenosha, Wisconsin
Historical Kenosha and substance abuse
Kenosha is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Wisconsin. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Kenosha is the county seat of Kenosha County and the 4th-largest city in the state by population. Though Kenosha is primarily known by locals for its waterfront scenery, the city has a long and storied history.
Prior to its settlement by Europeans, Kenosha, like many cities throughout Wisconsin, was home to Native American tribes like the Potawatomi and the Ojibwe. In fact, there’s evidence that ancient tribes were living in the area more than 13,000 years ago. However, the city’s contemporary history generally begins with the influx of European-descended settlers in the early 1800s. The Western Emigration Company first arrived in the 1830s, led by John Bullen Jr. During the early stages of its settlement, the city went through several name changes before ultimately landing on Kenosha in 1850.
By this time, Kenosha had already been established as an important shipping port. Throughout the remainder of the 19th Century, Kenosha experienced substantial industrial growth. It became known as a hub for manufacturing, which only advanced with the invention of the automobile. Two of the biggest boosts to the local economy came with the arrival of the Simmons Mattress Company in 1870 and the Nash Motors Company in 1916. Though Kenosha is not the major auto manufacturer it once was, it oversaw the production of millions of automobiles throughout the 20th Century.
Today, Kenosha is a relatively peaceful city that combines small-town charm with big-city amenities. As of the latest census, Kenosha has a population of just over 99,000 people. The city has seen continued growth in recent years, as well as tourism, thanks in large part to attractions like the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum, and the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Due to its location on the coast of Lake Michigan, Kenosha is also a popular destination for fishing, boating, and watersports. Kenosha even has several popular nature reserves, including Petrifying Springs Park and Kenosha Sand Dunes.
Sadly, a combination of factors has caused the otherwise wholesome town to experience higher rates of crime, economic uncertainty, and addiction. The COVID-19 pandemic saw thousands of local residents lose their jobs, while the highly publicized shootings led to mass protests, looting, and hundreds of arrests. Since then, the substance abuse crisis has only gotten worse in Kenosha.
But it’s not all grim news. If you live in Kenosha and are struggling to get help, Wellbrook Recovery of Wisconsin is nearby. We can help you achieve sobriety and leave behind addiction for good.
Even if you’re not ready for rehab yet, you should still reach out to us to learn more. In the meantime, be sure to learn more about the local addiction crisis to see how drugs and alcohol are affecting the people of Kenosha.