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The objective was to describe the population utilizing a sobering center for public alcohol intoxication and compare between single‐visit users, repeat users, and high users.

We conducted a secondary analysis of 1,271 adults cared for in a sobering center from July 2014 to June 2015. We divided the population into three groups—single use (one visit), repeat users (two to five visits), and high (six or more) users—and evaluated demographics, lifetime health diagnoses utilizing the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, rates of public service utilization including ambulance and emergency department, and related costs.

The population was primarily male, middle‐aged, and ethnically diverse. Compared to single‐visit users (n = 869), repeat (n = 287) and high users (n = 115) were older, were more likely to be currently homeless, and had spent more time homeless. Repeat and high users had …