ALPENA – An Alpena resident and addiction recovery expert, Dr. Jason Beatty, owner of Freedom Recovery Center, says that he’s seen an increase in community members seeking treatment for alcohol addiction within the last year.

According to a recent MLive article, nearly $2 billion was spent on liquor by Michigan retailers and bars in 2024. Within the breakdown of how much each retailer and bar spent on liquor, $2.3 million was spent by retailers and bars just in Alpena.

Of the top buyers of wholesale liquor in Alpena, the top five establishments included Meijer ($1,351,297), Jimmie Garant Party Store ($992,292), Wal-Mart ($501,122), Cracker Barrel Party Store ($414,012), and Perch’s Supermarket ($254,703), according to MLive.

The on-premises bar that spent the most in 2024 on liquor was Players Pub & Grub ($70,990), according to MLive.

The article states that the $2 billion figure only represents what retailers and bars have spent on wholesale liquor purchases, which they then sell for profit. However, with $2.3 million of liquor available in the Alpena area, the question remains of what kind of effects that kind of access has on the health of the community.

Beatty explained that within the last year, his treatment clinic has seen an increase of 35% to 45% of community members seeking treatment for alcohol abuse.

Beatty explained that there is not one addictive substance that is more or less consequential to a person’s health than another. However, he explained that alcohol presents more risks to a community than other substances.

“I’m not defending other drugs,” Beatty said. “(However,) folks usually grab their drugs and go somewhere quiet…(alcohol) is far more dangerous for the (community).”

Beatty explained that due to the social aspect of drinking in a community and within social settings, intoxicated persons can pose larger threats not only to themselves but to others.

“Alcohol is notorious for making people more destructive,” Beatty said. “(It) creates somewhat of a monster.”

Further, Beatty explained that the risks to an individual and to a community at large remain the same whether a person is deeply entrenched in alcohol addiction or if a person goes out drinking for their 21st birthday.

Still, Beatty believes in personal autonomy.

“Grown adults can make their own decisions,” Beatty said.

Beatty expressed concern as to the levels of access to which individuals can purchase alcohol at grocery stores at any time of the day. To combat the prevalence of alcohol in the community, Beatty organizes sober events to show that individuals suffering from addiction can participate in life and have fun without getting drunk.

With a 35% to 45% increase in community members seeking treatment for alcohol abuse at Beatty’s clinic, questions are raised as to which individuals are at the highest risk.

Beatty said that within just the last week, he’s seen patients ranging from the age of 16 to 68. He also noted that veterans are among the most vulnerable and often neglect to seek treatment. Overall, Alpena presents Beatty with a complex demographic to treat.

“(It’s) an absolute mix,” Beatty said. “I get calls from minors and their parents.”

Beatty explained that there isn’t anything necessarily unique about Alpena and other rural areas that makes alcoholism more or less prevalent. Beatty noted that he’s lived in similar rural areas growing up, as well as urban areas. He said that alcoholism is prevalent in both environments.

On the other hand, Beatty explained that in rural areas, Alpena, for instance, he sees more parents allowing their children to drink at a young age than in urban areas.

Though addiction is a complex disorder, in Beatty’s estimation, addiction is often related to some form of childhood emotional abandonment that leads to an individual feeling worthless. In some instances, Beatty explained that individuals use substances, alcohol for example, to avoid suicidal ideation.

“Those folks who are using aren’t trying to destroy themselves,” Beatty said. “They are trying to save themselves…(it’s their) only solution.”

With the perspective of saving oneself with alcohol, there comes a longer, arduous process of treating the addiction. In select scenarios, Beatty is skeptical of traditional 12-step programs as a one-size-fits-all solution. He explained there are deeper, more nuanced aspects of recovery that are sometimes overlooked by medical professionals, addicts, and community authoritative entities.

Further, with a 1% success rate for sustained sobriety for individuals suffering from alcohol addiction, Beatty believes in alternative methods for treatment.

“We don’t send people with diseases to a group to talk about it and expect them to be cured,” Beatty said. “(Recovery) absolutely shouldn’t be by themselves.”

Beatty believes in Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) as an effective way of treating alcoholism alongside 12-step programs, for example. Beatty also gives his clients his personal cell phone number so they always have a direct line to support, no matter the situation or time of day.

“I’m not knocking 12-step programs,” Beatty said. “(But) it doesn’t sustain sobriety.”

Beatty noted that Alpena was one of the front-runners in a recent movement to get MAT introduced into jail systems. Beatty said he had the opportunity to visit the Alpena County Jail to administer MAT to inmates.

Though alcoholism remains a problem in communities around the country, Beatty said that alcoholism and addiction are still a black box.

“We are just starting to understand the genesis of this disorder,” Beatty said.

And with the continued unknowns, there comes continued stigmas concerning addiction and recovery, relapse in particular.

“(Relapse) is a part of recovery,” Beatty said. “People used to feel relapse was failure.”

Beatty explained that if an addicted person maintains sobriety for 120 days and suddenly relapses, that person still has significantly reduced harm to themselves and to the community.

Overall, Beatty said that Alpena has made great strides in the last two years to support those suffering from alcoholism. However, the percentage of community members with alcoholism remains high, and there aren’t necessarily enough practitioners in the area to meet the need.

To anyone struggling with addiction, besides seeking treatment, Beatty suggests immersing oneself in the sober community.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.