Hope Hill Sobering Center
Location: 20 Scott Avenue, Suite 101, Morgantown, WV 26508
Hours of Operation: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8PM-8AM
Contact: Phone - 304.826.1171 Email - brad@ascensionrs.com
The mission of Hope Hill Sobering Center is to enhance public health and safety by providing a supportive alternative where intoxicated adults can recover from the acute effects of alcohol or drugs and be connected to resources.
Hope Hill Sobering Center is a short-term care facility designed to allow an individual who is intoxicated and nonviolent to recover from the effects of alcohol and drugs. The center is staffed by certified peer recovery support specialists (PRSS) that have the unique ability to engage with guests and refer them to stabilization programs, treatment options, supportive community resources, and recovery residences, as needed. The Sobering Center is a safe space for intoxicated individuals to be cared for, in lieu of being placed in jail, or sent to an emergency room.
Hope Hill Sobering Center is managed by Ascension Recovery Services, an industry leader in developing fully comprehensive, integrated behavioral health systems, treating substance use disorders (SUD) and mental illness across the full continuum of care. Several local partners have contributed to the costs associated with development and operation of the Hope Hill Sobering Center. Grant and donation commitments have been made by The City of Morgantown, West Virginia University, Monongalia County, West Virginia University Medicine, and Mon Health.
Referral/Intake Procedure if a guest does not fall within the exclusionary criteria:
• The preference will be to call the facility first 304-826-1171 before transporting a potential guest, this will ensure:
o Availability of a bed.
o Suitability of a potential guest by staff discussing exclusionary criteria with referring agent.
o Communication on specifics of the incident.
• Vitals will be taken upon arrival of a potential guest and must fall within the ranges below for a guest to be admitted. The referring agent should expect to remain present until completed.
o Pulse: 61-99
o Blood pressure: Systolic 101-159, Diastolic 61-89
o Respirations: 13-20
o Oxygen saturation: 95-100%
o Temperature: From 96.5°F(35.8°C) to 100.9°F(38.3°C)
• If a guest’s vitals are outside of these ranges HHSC staff will refer them to the Emergency Department.
• Once vitals are checked and fall within acceptable limits, the referring agent may leave the guest with HHSC staff. Referring parties will be documented by staff as part of the intake.
• Vitals will be taken throughout the course of a guests stay every 4 hours.
• HHSC staff will be available to receive phone calls to coordinate this process during normal operating hours Thursday-Saturday from 8PM-8AM.
• If a potential guest is transported to the facility without calling in advance, staff will assess them through the exclusionary criteria and vitals check. Referring agent should expect to remain present until the potential guest clears these assessments.
• If a potential guest is unsuitable for the program and the referring agent is unable to transport the individual to an appropriate service in accordance with the individual’s condition, HHSC staff will contact necessary parties including but not limited to – Police, EMS, etc.
• HHSC staff will cut off the intake process at 5AM, to ensure a potential guest has at least a few hours to stabilize and discharges can be planned.
• HHSC staff consisting of certified PRSS’s will engage with willing guests to discuss treatment options, safe discharge locations, and other community resources as needed.
• Guests will be discharged from the facility by 8AM. Free public transportation is available to all guests through the local community bus line.
EXCLUSIONARY CRITERIA – Guests that fall within these criteria will not be suitable for this program:
• Individuals who are NOT currently under the influence of alcohol and/or other substances.
• Individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis including suicidal and homicidal ideation that would qualify them for mental health hospitalization.
• Urgent medical symptoms requiring continuous oversight and monitoring.
• Individuals in wheelchairs must be able to self-transfer.
• No IVs, NG tubes, oxygen, indwelling catheters.
• No open or draining wounds.
• No active detox requiring medical oversight.
• Individuals complaining of chest pain or difficulty breathing.
• Individuals with a known Blood Alcohol level greater that 0.3 (if known).