UT Austin students can now utilize the Sobering Center without a police referral. The SHIFT team helped expand the current university partnership so that students, staff and faculty can refer a friend to the center directly. This City of Austin/Travis County initiative provides a safe place for publicly intoxicated individuals to sober up as an alternative to the emergency room or jail and, where appropriate, to provide a bridge to further intervention. This new referral partnership expands on the existing relationship The University of Texas at Austin Police Department has with the center. The primary goal is to (1) promote student help-seeking behaviors by reducing current barriers to accessing care, and (2) minimize the harm associated with substance misuse by connecting students with a safe place to sober up. With more direct access to the Sobering Center and its services, students can avoid involving law enforcement, but still seek help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Sobering Center?

A: The Sobering Center is located at 1213 Sabine St., in Austin, Texas. The center provides a safe place for intoxicated persons to sober up as an alternative to the emergency room or jail and, where appropriate, to provide a bridge to further intervention.

Q: How can I access the Sobering Center?

A: The Sobering Center does not take walk-ups; you can access the center by calling (512) 957-1900.

Q: Is there an age limit?

A: Anyone 18 years or older is eligible for admission to the Sobering Center. If a student is under the age of 18 our staff will direct students to take the individual to a hospital.

Q: Can anyone on any substance come to the Sobering Center?

A: Anyone suspected of alcohol or drug intoxication can be eligible for admission to the Sobering Center. It is not the responsibility of a UT Austin student, staff or faculty member to make medical decisions; after calling the Sobering Center, a trained medical professional on staff will determine if the person being referred is eligible for admission.

Q: What criteria exclude admission to the Sobering Center?

A: Individuals with evidence of acute head injury, untreated lacerations, who have experienced a seizure within the last 24 hours, acute gastrointestinal bleeding, or suicidal ideations/homicidal ideation or attempt within the last 48 hours are not eligible for admission to the Sobering Center. Individuals who do not meet the criteria to be admitted to the sobering center will be sent to the hospital for appropriate medical care.

Q: Will individuals be charged for using the Sobering Center?

A: There is no cost for Sobering Center services.

Q: What are the operating hours of the Sobering Center?

A: The Sobering Center is open 24/7.

Q: Is there a limit to the amount of time that someone can spend at the Sobering Center?

A: The average time it takes for an individual to sober up ranges, but is typically around four to six hours. There is no minimum or maximum stay, and staff will consider the needs of each individual and their readiness to get home as safely as possible priorto being discharged.

Q: Will anyone else be notified if I go to the Sobering Center?

A: No, the center will not notify anyone of your admission into the center without your consent.

Q: What other services does the Sobering Center provide?

A: The center also provides free counseling services and connection to other resources.

Q: How do I know when it's okay to call the Sobering Center vs. call 9-1-1?

A: It is not the responsibility of a student to make any medical decisions. Similar to calling 9-1-1, the Sobering Center is a service in which a trained medical professional on the call will determine the best course of action through a series of questions. This questionnaire allows medical staff to assess the situation and determine the necessary next steps, whether that is the Sobering Center or another service such as 9-1-1. Calling for help is the most important thing.

Q: Do I need to provide my name or UT ID when I make the call?

A: No. While you will need to identify yourself as a UT Austin student, faculty or staff and may be asked for your name and location, you will not be required to provide your full name or UT ID to the Sobering Center, or health insurance information. UT Austin will be collecting aggregate data from the Sobering Center to assess the reach of this referral partnership but will never receive any identifiable information.

Q: Who is notified the student has gone to the Sobering Center? What if the student’s parent calls the university?

A: The Sobering Center is bound by federal privacy laws (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA) and can only discuss someone's stay if they sign a release of information. Even if a parent was told of a student's whereabouts, the center would not be able to confirm they are there if the parent called the center.

Q: What happens if the person for whom I’m calling the Sobering Center refuses to go?

A: Going to the Sobering Center is completely voluntary. However, the Sobering Center is a safer alternative than risking a citation, fine, jail or letting someone “sleep it off” unsupervised.

Q: How does the person get to and from the Sobering Center? Do I drive them myself or can they get picked up? Do I need to accompany them to the center?

A: The Sobering Center provides free pick-up transportation and helps individuals secure transportation home once they have safely sobered up in their facility. You are not required to accompany anyone to the Sobering Center.

Q: Can I call to refer someone to the Sobering Center even if I am also intoxicated??

A: Yes.

Q: Can I call to refer myself to the Sobering Center if I am intoxicated?

A: No, the Sobering Center does not take self-referrals or walk-ups. Another individual who is a referral partner would need to call the Sobering Center to refer you.

Q: How does the UT Austin student amnesty for alcohol and drug emergencies policy play a role in using the Sobering Center?

A: Amnesty applies to both the person who calls for help and the person in need of help. If a student organization facilitates help and is rendering assistance to a student in need, amnesty would also apply. You can read more about UT Austin Student Amnesty for Alcohol and Drug Emergencies here.

Q: What do they do at the Sobering Center?

A: After a client is referred and transported to the center, intake medics will screen the client to ensure it’s safe for the individual to sober up at the facility. Recovery support specialists will then monitor the client and continue to assess their needs. Counselors will conduct an assessment to link the client to appropriate community resources.

Q: What resources will they be connected to on campus?

A: The Sobering Center connects clients to resources based off their needs and wants, which includesa variety of on-and off-campus resources for students. The center may connect UT Austin students to BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students), the Center for Students in Recovery, and other recovery groups and treatment options if needed. See more FAQs at the Sobering Center.