Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Historical Milwaukee and substance abuse
If you grew up in Milwaukee or have spent a good portion of your life in Wisconsin’s biggest city, you know that it is a beautiful locale with a long and fascinating history. Long before European settlers ever arrived in the area, Milwaukee was inhabited by a number of different Native American tribes, including the Menominee, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi. In fact, some historians believe that the name “Milwaukee” originally derived from the Potawatomi word for “gathering place.”
Though the city has its roots in thousands of years of Native American history, its modern settlement is generally traced to the European fur traders who scouted the area in the early 19th Century. More specifically, Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George H. Walker are credited with establishing the first colonies in Milwaukee. While they each settled the land separately and were often at odds with one another, their settlements grew in size throughout the early 19th Century, and, in 1849, these three “founding fathers” put an end to their turf war and incorporated the city of Milwaukee.
Throughout the 19th Century, Milwaukee saw rapid growth and expansion. The reasons for this were two-fold. First, the city experienced a large influx of European immigrants, particularly Germans in search of inexpensive farmland. And second, the city served as a strategic trading hub since it was a port city on Lake Michigan and rested at the convergence of three rivers: the Milwaukee River, the Menomonee River, and the Kinnickinnic River. Over the years, the city developed a reputation for its industrial strength, particularly in brewing, meatpacking, and manufacturing.
As the county seat of Milwaukee County and the most populous city in the state of Wisconsin, Milwaukee remains a powerhouse of industry and commerce to this day. Though the population has been in slow decline over the last three decades, it is currently home to roughly 569,000 full-time residents. The city is quite diverse, with large Hispanic, European, African, and Asian-descended communities. Aesthetically, Milwaukee is also celebrated for its many unique neighborhoods, including the Historic Third Ward, Bay View, Walker’s Point, and the East Side.
And though most Americans likely associate the city with its breweries (hence the nickname “Brew City”), Milwaukee serves as a thriving center of culture for the region. Every year, Milwaukee hosts Summerfest, one of the largest music festivals in the world. Additionally, Milwaukee has dozens of museums and art galleries to enjoy. And for sports fans, Milwaukee is a triple threat, as it is home to the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), and the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).
It’s easy to look at Milwaukee as an ideal place to live and raise a family. While that is true for thousands of people, Milwaukee also has a darker side. Sadly, drug and alcohol addiction are on the rise, and the drinking culture of Milwaukee has only made it more difficult for locals struggling with alcohol addiction to seek help.
Fortunately, though, if you or a loved one is fighting drug or alcohol addiction, there is a path forward. Wellbrook Recovery is an inpatient residential rehab clinic located in nearby Brookfield. Don’t wait to get help. Reach out to Wellbrook Recovery today and begin your path to sobriety.
And if you’re not sure if rehab is right for you or if you have questions about substance abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, keep reading to learn more about the latest facts and figures in your area.