Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo has seen a dramatic rise in drug use and related deaths in recent years. Data compiled by the Kalamazoo County Government and the State of Michigan shows that:1, 3, 4, 5
From 2017 to 2020, alcohol-related deaths in Kalamazoo County increased by 83%, and methamphetamine-related deaths rose by 433%.
In 2016, Kalamazoo County recorded a total of 350 opioid-related emergency department visits and averaged one visit per day throughout the year.
From 2015 to 2017, opioids were involved in more than 75% of all drug-related deaths in Kalamazoo County.
In 2021, an average of 7,600 opioid dosage units were dispensed per 1,000 Kalamazoo County residents per quarter.
Roughly 70% of overdose victims are male, roughly 50% are Black, and approximately 24% are white.
The 35 to 44 age bracket consistently has the highest drug-related overdose fatality rate.
How to Pay for Substance Addiction Treatment in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Private Insurance
By law, all insurance providers are required to cover substance abuse and mental health treatment services in some capacity. Call your provider to learn about your specific coverage, including your deductible and copay.
Michigan Medicaid
Michigan’s Medicaid program provides health insurance to low-income residents. It covers various treatment services like inpatient drug rehab and outpatient substance abuse treatment. Make sure to ask if the treatment center you’re interested in accepts Medicaid.
Michigan Medicare
Michigan Medicare is a government program providing coverage to residents with end-stage renal disease and those over the age of 65. You can use Medicare to cover the cost of drug addiction treatment services, including rehab.3 Some rehabs don’t accept Medicare insurance, so it’s important to do your research.
TRICARE in Michigan
Michigan TRICARE is a government program providing health insurance coverage to the U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, veterans, and their families and dependents. TRICARE covers addiction treatment services, such as rehab and medication-assisted treatment.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs are income-based, charging only what a resident can reasonably afford to pay. In order to qualify for a sliding scale rehab in Michigan, be prepared to provide proof of income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehabs funded by the Indian Health Service provide free addiction treatment to Indigenous people in the U.S. and Alaskan Natives.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. CDC Wonder Online Database. (2021). Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020 Results, Deaths occurring through 2020.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Kalamazoo County Government. (2019, March 4). Kalamazoo County DRug and opioid Epidemic Brief & Report Released.
- State of Michigan. (n.d.). Michigan Overdose Data to Action Dashboard.
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. (2019). Trends in Opioid-Related Deaths In Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
