Studies show that an amazing number of those injured and killed every year have high levels of alcohol in their blood. This may be because the drinking accident victim engaged in risky behavior, such as not wearing a seat belt or motorcycle helmet. People who tend to take safety risks, act impulsively, and engage in thrill seeking are likely to both drink alcohol and to suffer from injuries. Alcohol is knownto decrease both motor coordination and balance, and to interfere with one's ability to pay attention and use good judgment.

Despite their many beneficial effects, barbiturates and benzodiazepines have the potential for abuse and should be used only as prescribed. During the first few days of taking a prescribed CNS depressant, a person usually feels sleepy and uncoordinated, but as the body becomes accustomed to the effects of the drug, these feelings begin to disappear. If one uses these drugs long term, the body will develop tolerance for the drugs, and larger doses will be needed to achieve the same initial effects. Continued use can lead to physical dependence and - when use is reduced or stopped - withdrawal. Because all CNS depressants work by slowing the brain's activity, when an individual stops taking them, the brain's activity can rebound and race out of control, potentially leading to seizures and other harmful consequences. Although withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be problematic, it is rarely life threatening, whereas withdrawal from prolonged use of other CNS depressants can have life-threatening complications. Therefore, someone who is thinking about discontinuing CNS depressant therapy or who is suffering withdrawal from a CNS depressant should speak with a physician or seek medical treatment.

Despite its widespread use, marijuana has not yet been admitted to the company of accepted social drugs such as alcohol and nicotine. Laws remain that prescribe penalties for its possession, use, and sale. In some jurisdictions, possession and use of small amounts of the drug is a civil crime punishable only by a small fine. Despite the liberalization of the law in these areas, they have not been overrun with eager marijuana users. Perhaps the reason is that in most other jurisdictions, laws against its use are rarely enforced. Enforcement can be capricious, however, when employed in situations in which more serious crimes cannot be adequately documented.

Individuals who lack the support of family or friends and who do not have a stable living situation can often benefit from weeks to months as inpatients in a residential treatment center. The crash phase may be milder for inpatients, and addicts who experience less distress may be better able to concentrate on therapy and education. Inpatients may also feel a greater sense of control over themselves. Control is especially difficult to achieve when craving for cocaine is high. However, many patients can develop a false sense of control over their addiction because, as inpatients, they are protected from environmental cues that trigger craving. Inpatients need to be reintroduced gradually to life outside the treatment center.

The majority of the heroin use in Wisconsin is concentrated in the Milwaukee and Racine areas.

The drug problem in Wisconsin varies by area.

Primary methods of diversion of pharmaceuticals being reported in Wisconsin are illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, "doctor shopping", forged prescriptions, and the Internet.

Methamphetamine production and use are a problem in Wisconsin, but appears to be declining.

In eastern and central Wisconsin, there is a concern regarding the availability, distribution, and abuse of powder and crack cocaine, as well as the increasing availability of high purity heroin; and the number of new users, particularly in the Milwaukee area.

Mexican DTOs are the main wholesale distributors of cocaine in Wisconsin and supply African American and Hispanic street gangs that are involved in the retail distribution of crack throughout the state.