Sober Escort and Transport to Treatment
A sober escort is a trained companion who travels with your loved one from home to treatment so they arrive safely and on time. Local escorts in our service area are a $1,250 flat fee, separate from the $2,750 intervention package. Regional, air and multi-day escorts are quoted in writing before travel is booked.
Written by Benjamin Zohar, NCACIP and Christopher Veto, NCACIP. Last updated on 13 October 2026.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
Sober escort pricing
These are our four escort prices. They are the same prices shown on our cost page.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Local sober escort (within our service area, up to 12 hours) | $1,250 flat |
| Regional escort by car (outside our service area) | $1,750 per day, plus mileage |
| Air travel escort (anywhere in the U.S.) | $2,250 per day, plus the escort's airfare, lodging and meals at cost |
| Overnight or multi-day escort | Quoted in writing |
Sober escort fees are separate from the $2,750 intervention package and are confirmed in writing before travel is booked. Treatment program costs are billed by the provider.
What an escort does and does not do
| A sober escort does | A sober escort does not |
|---|---|
| Travel with your loved one from door to admissions | Provide medical care or act as an ambulance |
| Keep the trip calm, on time and free of substances | Restrain anyone or force them to continue |
| Handle check-in, tickets and timing | Give or manage medicines beyond what the person carries for themselves |
| Hand over directly to the admissions team | Replace the treatment program’s own intake |
| Keep the family updated during the trip | Promise that the person will stay in treatment |
When families use a sober escort
- Right after an intervention, so a yes goes straight to treatment.
- When the program is far away or requires a flight.
- When the person has left treatment before, or has backed out of a trip.
- When family members are too close to the situation to make the trip calmly.
- When there is a risk of using on the way, such as at an airport or rest stop.
How it works, step by step
- 1You call us. We talk about the program, the distance and any safety concerns.
- 2We confirm the price and plan in writing before travel is booked.
- 3The escort meets your loved one at the agreed time and place.
- 4They travel together by car or plane, with no stops that are not planned.
- 5The escort hands over directly to the admissions team and lets the family know.
Travel by car vs. air
| By car | By air | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Programs in or near our service area | Programs far from New York |
| Price | $1,250 flat locally; $1,750 per day plus mileage regionally | $2,250 per day plus airfare, lodging and meals at cost |
| Control of the trip | High. Stops are planned. | Lower. Airports have delays and crowds. |
| Things to plan | Route, timing and arrival window | ID, tickets, security and connections |
What to pack
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A list of current medicines, with medicines in their original bottles
- About a week of comfortable clothes
- A few important phone numbers written on paper
- The program’s own packing list, since rules about phones and personal items vary
How it connects to the intervention
When we plan an intervention, we arrange treatment ahead of time. If your loved one says yes, travel starts once admission is confirmed, and a sober escort can make that trip with them. See the intervention process for where this fits.
The escort fee is separate from the $2,750 intervention package, which covers family preparation, intervention planning, treatment placement assistance and coordination. Treatment is billed by the provider. Before you hire anyone, read what to ask when hiring an interventionist, or meet Benjamin Zohar and Christopher Veto. You can also get the free family packet or learn about our professional interventionists in New York.
Questions families ask
How much does a sober escort cost?
A local sober escort within our service area is a $1,250 flat fee for up to 12 hours. Regional escorts by car are $1,750 per day plus mileage. Air travel escorts are $2,250 per day plus the escort’s airfare, lodging and meals at cost. Overnight or multi-day escorts are quoted in writing.
Is the sober escort included in the $2,750 intervention package?
No. Sober escort fees are separate from the $2,750 intervention package and are confirmed in writing before travel is booked. Treatment program costs are billed by the provider.
Is a sober escort medical transport?
No. A sober escort is a trained companion, not a medical provider or ambulance. If medical care is needed during travel, call 911.
Can I hire a sober escort without an intervention?
Yes. Some families only need help getting a loved one who has already agreed to treatment from home to the program safely. Call us to talk through the trip.
What happens if my loved one changes their mind on the way?
The escort stays calm, keeps talking and reminds them why they agreed. An escort cannot force anyone to continue. If anyone is in danger, the escort calls 911.
Do you escort by plane?
Yes. Air travel escorts are available anywhere in the U.S. for $2,250 per day, plus the escort’s airfare, lodging and meals at cost. The escort sits with your loved one and stays with them through the airport.
What should my loved one pack?
Photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medicines in original bottles, about a week of comfortable clothes and a few phone numbers on paper. Check the program’s list, because rules about phones and personal items vary.
References
- Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addictionMayo Clinic
- FindTreatment.gov — the federal treatment locatorSAMHSA
- Find addiction treatment in New York StateNYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
These organizations do not endorse Intervention NY. This page is general education, not medical or legal advice. Intervention NY is an intervention and family-navigation service. We are not a rehab, detox, hospital or treatment provider. Last updated 13 October 2026.