Substance use is a serious concern in Wisconsin, where fentanyl drove a sharp rise in overdose deaths before a record decline. Key figures:

• 1,422 overdose deaths in 2023, falling 42.5% to 818 in 2024, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
• More than 1,700 fatal drug overdoses in 2023, an increase of 45% since 2018.
• Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were identified in 91% of opioid overdose deaths.
• Fentanyl was present in 73% of all drug overdose deaths.
• The 42.5% drop in 2024 was a state record, outpacing the 22% national decline in fentanyl deaths.
• Most overdoses involve fentanyl combined with cocaine, methamphetamine, or multiple drugs.

Wisconsin’s overdose deaths climbed sharply for years as fentanyl spread across the state. The steep decline in 2024 marked the fastest improvement on record for the state.

Wisconsin has not adopted full Medicaid expansion, but its BadgerCare program covers childless adults up to 100% of the federal poverty level, and its Medicaid program covers the full range of addiction treatment, including residential care. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) oversees the addiction treatment system. Of the 203 facilities listed below, 194 accept Medicaid.