Sobering Center

The SLO Sobering Center is managed by Good Samaritan and provides short-term sobering and transition services. The Center is a harm reduction facility, certified for withdrawal management services using social model methods. Medication Addiction Treatment (MAT) services are available as needed.

The Center strives to divert individuals from jail and potential legal repercussions of minor offenses and will be used to connect them to mental health and substance use treatment services, case management, housing, and other services available in the area.

Funding for the Sobering Center has been provided by CenCal Health, and grant funding from the County's Opioid Settlement Funds.

Who is eligible?

Adults 18 years or older. 

When and where is this service offered?

The Sobering Center is a 24 hour facility, open 7 days a week. It is located at the Health Agency Campus, 2180 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo.

Call (820) 280-0415 for bed availability.
 

FAQs

Services are voluntary, and adults may walk in or be brought by family and friends to reduce the harm of acute intoxication. Primarily, though, adults may be referred or brought here by appropriate agencies as an alternative to incarceration or hospitalization.
A typical stay is up to 24 hours - but individuals may stay at the Center for up to 72 hours on a case-by-case basis.
The Center has up to 10-12 beds available for adult men and women.
There is no payment required, and Medi-Cal will be billed for those beneficiaries.
  1. A medical screening is provided upon arrival to check vitals and assess individual needs.
  2. Individuals are assigned a locker to secure personal items and are offered hygiene kits as needed. 
  3. Individuals will be shown to a safe and warm space where staff will provide hydration and various meal choices to begin their recovery.
  4. Medical staff may provide medical clearance and drug testing as needed for individual treatment program admission.
  5. Staff may then connect the individual with a verity of services including mental health and substance use treatment, housing support, legal services, social services, case management, transportation, food assistance, and basic necessities to help them in their recovery journey.
The Sobering Center strives to divert individuals from jail and potential legal repercussions of minor offenses. The Center aims to connect those who utilize the service to mental health and substance use treatment services, case management, housing, and other services available in the area.
Individuals may be excluded from using Sobering Center Services if they are:
  • Under the age of 18
  • Unable or unwilling to cooperate with the screening exam
  • Combative or agitated
  • Primary concern of serious mental illness
  • Incontinent
  • Unable to walk without assistance or has other medical needs that cannot be managed in a non-acute setting
  • A registered sex offender
Good Samaritan, a non-profit, is the vendor selected by CenCal Health to be the operator of San Luis Obispo Sobering Center.