Horizon Medical Sobering Center – Albuquerque, NM
A Safe Place to Begin Your Recovery Journey
Located at the Gateway Center at Gibson Health Hub, the Medical Sobering Center offers a safe, supportive environment for individuals experiencing the effects of substance use. This 50-bed, clinically managed program provides up to 24 hours of medically supervised care for those in need of short-term stabilization.
Our team has over 15 years of experience in sobering services, offering compassionate, trauma-informed support to help individuals take the first step toward recovery. Many of our staff members have lived experience with substance use and co-occurring behavioral health challenges, and they understand the courage it takes to seek help.
At the Sobering Center, clients receive attentive medical monitoring, emotional support, and direct connections to ongoing treatment and recovery resources. Whether it’s your first time seeking help or part of a longer journey, we’re here to provide a safe landing and a hopeful start.
This program is part of a broader effort by the City of Albuquerque and the Gateway Network to build a stronger continuum of care. Horizon Treatment Services and the city of Albuquerque are proud to partner in building a stronger, more responsive system. The medical sobering center in Albuquerque acts as a drop off for community safety services, meeting people where they are and supporting their journey toward lasting stability.
Gateway Medical Sobering Center (GMS) is operated by Horizon Treatment Services. It provides a safe, clinically supervised alternative to emergency departments for adults experiencing intoxication or substance-related crises.
Individuals 18 years or older with recent alcohol or substance use, who do not have acute trauma or active bleeding. Clients must be able to stand on their own, or with minimal assistance, at the time of admission. Walkers and wheelchairs are available to support safety and stability while on site.
Individuals who have serious injuries, are unable to rise out of a chair without assistance, have active, severe bleeding or an urgent need for medical assistance or be actively suicidal or homicidal.
Services include medical monitoring, wound care, medication prescribing when appropriate, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and rapid linkage to ongoing treatment and recovery resources.
GMS accepts referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Referrals are accepted from Emergency Departments, EMS, law enforcement, hospitals, community partners, family/relatives.
Yes. Gateway Medical Sobering uses a trauma-informed, person-centered approach focused on dignity, safety, de-escalation, and engagement in care.
Stays are short-term – patients can voluntarily stay for up to 24 hours – with a focus on stabilization. From there, clients are offered connections to appropriate community or recovery resources.
Gateway Medical Sobering helps reduce ED boarding and repeat utilization by providing warm handoffs, supporting discharge planning, and offering an alternative for appropriate behavioral health and intoxication cases.
EMS partners benefit from reduced repeat calls, quicker transfer of care, support for community paramedicine efforts, and clear referral and handoff protocols.
The program offers diversion options for non-criminal behavioral health crises, reduces officer time on calls, improves safety through trauma-informed engagement, and helps prevent repeat community disruptions.
Partner agencies can establish referral criteria, designate points of contact, and participate in briefings or trainings. Gateway Medical Sobering also offers consultation and collaborative case review.
GMS is located at Gate F on the south side of Gateway Center, at 5400 Gibson Blvd. SE; use San Mateo to the south side of the facility.
Referrals and inquiries can be made at any time by calling 505-391-8450.
Horizon Services Medical Sobering Services
5400 Gibson Blvd SE, Box 4
Albuquerque, NM 87108
