Overdose Help at Berks Hospitals From the Council on Chemical Abuse
The Council on Chemical Abuse runs the Warm Handoff Program at Reading Hospital and Penn State Health St. Joseph, where a certified recovery specialist meets with patients in the hospital after an overdose or severe withdrawal and helps them get into treatment.
It is for people who arrive at an emergency room because of an overdose or with severe withdrawal symptoms. If you are having a true medical emergency, go to the closest emergency room. The Warm Handoff Program is offered at both Reading Hospital and Penn State Health St. Joseph.
Once the patient is medically stable, a certified recovery specialist (CRS) meets with them on site at the hospital and assists them in engaging in treatment and recovery services. The page does not say how long that takes or what happens after the hospital visit.
For more information about this program, contact the Treatment Access and Services Center (TASC) at (610) 375-4426. TASC help is available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call the COCA office at (610) 376-8669, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, or the 24/7 Drug and Alcohol Hotline at (484) 628-HOPE (4673), which is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The COCA office is at 50 N. 5th Street, 5th Floor, Reading, PA 19601. Outside of Berks County, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
On paying for care: depending on insurance and the urgency for medical attention, there are different ways a person can enter treatment. If you are a Berks County resident and not covered by private insurance or Medical Assistance, funding is available to help you pay for treatment. The page does not say whether there is any cost for meeting with the recovery specialist, so ask when you call.
Source: cocaberks.org/get-help-now, read September 18, 2026.
The details
In Council on Chemical Abuse’s words
Individuals arriving at an emergency room due to an overdose, or presenting severe withdrawal symptoms are welcomed as part of the Warm Handoff Program. Once the individual is medically stable, a certified recovery specialist (CRS) meets with the patient on-site at the hospital and assists them in engaging in treatment and recovery services. The Warm Handoff Program is offered at both Reading Hospital and Penn State Health St. Joseph.
Organization
Council on Chemical Abuse
About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from cocaberks.org/get-help-now. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.