ou just had surgery. Or you barely survived pneumonia. Or you spent a week in the psych unit. You're weak, you're on new medications you don't understand, you have follow-up appointments you need to make, and the nurse is handing you discharge papers with a smile. "Do you have a safe place to go?" they ask. Your options: the shelter where your belongings get stolen while you sleep, your friend's couch where you're "wearing out your welcome," your car, the street, or that

Every time you walk into your apartment, you start wheezing. You lie in bed at night and can't catch your breath. You've been to the emergency room three times this month because your asthma won't stop attacking you. You've got your rescue inhaler in your pocket. You take your maintenance meds. You're doing everything "right." So why can't you just... breathe? Here's what nobody tells you: Your home itself might be the problem.

The ER Will Cost Thousands and Leave Them Traumatized. There's Another Option. What if there was a different option? If you have Health Net or Health Plan of San Joaquin Medi-Cal coverage and you or someone you care about struggles with substance intoxication, there's something called a Sobering Center. And it's nothing like the ER.