Identification and Practice Patterns of Sobering Centers in the United States.
Sobering centers operate as an alternative to hospitals and jails in many communities across the country as a safe place where an acutely intoxicated person can be observed until he or she becomes sober. No national data on this practice exist. We aim to create a preliminary database of sobering centers and describe national practices of these sobering centers.



This study is a cross-sectional analysis and survey of sobering centers with a review of current practices.



Twenty-seven potential sobering centers were identified through a variety of search mechanisms. Survey results were obtained for 11 of these centers. Nine centers met the definition of a sobering center. We found that sobering centers had significant heterogeneity in regards to size, practice patterns, and funding mechanisms. We also identified a wide range of missions, organizational components, and medical oversight.
Otis
O
Warren
Shannon
S
Smith-Bernardin
Katherine
K
Jamieson
Nickolas
N
Zaller
Aisha
A
Liferidge
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States