GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — The Jackie Nitschke Center in Green Bay is experiencing a dramatic increase in calls and referrals for its treatment programs and recovery homes.
"During the pandemic people were using alcohol or other substances to cope," said Michelle Pierquet-Hohner, Jackie Nitschke Center's director of community and donor engagement. "Now that things are slowing down a little bit, they're feeling a little bit more comfortable. Maybe they're realizing they have an issue, or they need a little bit of help or are more ready for treatment. We're seeing a lot more calls from individuals needing help, family members looking for support and information and from providers as well."
According to the Wisconsin Department of Human Services:
- Wisconsin ranks second in the U.S. for adult binge drinking
- Wisconsin residents in every age group engaged in more binge drinking than the U.S. median for that age group.
- Wisconsinites ages 18 to 24 had the highest proportion of binge drinkers.
Additionally, a recent national report notes that heavy drinking among women increased 41% over the past year.
Those who have a concern about a loved one can call the center at 920-435-2093 and discuss tips on having that conversation with a loved one, Pierquet-Hohner said.
