Sobering Centers are alternative destinations for individuals who are found to be publicly intoxicated (due to alcohol and/or other drugs) and would otherwise be transported to the emergency department or jail.
Sobering Centers provide these individuals, primarily those who are homeless or those with unstable living situations, with a safe, supportive environment in which to become sober.
Sobering Centers are short-term care facilities where services are covered for a duration of less than 24 hours.
Based on the Member’s needs, services provided at Sobering Centers may include:
- Medical triage
- Lab testing
- A temporary bed
- Rehydration and food service
- Treatment for nausea
- Wound and dressing changes
- Shower and laundry facilities
- Substance use education and counseling
- Navigation and warm hand-offs for additional substance use services or other necessary health care services
- Homeless care support services
Referral Process
Referrals for Sobering Centers will only come directly from law enforcement, emergency personnel, and outreach teams.
Sobering Centers Providers will:
- Directly coordinate with the county behavioral health agency and offer warm hand-offs for additional behavioral health services
- Offer screening and linkage to ongoing supportive services, such as follow-up mental health and substance use disorder treatment and housing options, as appropriate
- Establish partnerships with law enforcement, emergency personnel, and outreach teams to identify and divert individuals to Sobering Centers
- Be prepared to identify Members with emergent physical health conditions and arrange transport to a hospital or appropriate source of medical care
Authorization requests will be reviewed and authorized retrospectively by L.A. Care's Behavioral Health Department.
Eligibility and Exclusion Criteria
- Individual is over 18 years old and is found to be publicly intoxicated (due to alcohol and/or drugs) and would otherwise be transported to the emergency department or jail or who presented at an emergency department.
- Individuals must be alert and oriented, conscious, cooperative, able to walk, nonviolent, and free from any medical distress (including life-threatening withdrawal symptoms or apparent underlying symptoms).
- This service is covered for a duration of less than 24 hours.
- Services shall supplement and not supplant services received by the Medi-Cal beneficiary through other State, local, or federally funded programs.