What To Pack For Treatment

Rehab centers are notably strict on the types of things that recovering individuals can bring into the facility. However, a visitor does require basic amenities. When a person arrives at rehab and checks into the facility, the admissions team is likely to inspect the luggage to determine if you’re carrying anything that isn’t allowed. In general, these facilities will try to limit the number of substances entering the facility, leading to relapse in patients. This list of items includes anything that may contain alcohol, open pill bottles, and narcotic-based medication. Each center has its own list of prohibited items that users need to ask about to be informed.

What Can I Bring With Me To Treatment

Regardless of the rules about what is prohibited, rehabs typically suggest that patients bring these things with them when visiting:
  • Stamps and envelopes if you wish to mail letters
  • A journal or notebook
  • Calling cards if the facility needs them to make long-distance calls
  • Insurance cards and at least one form of ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
  • A checkbook, credit card, or debit card to pay for expenses
  • Petty cash (not over $100) for store runs, vending machines, etc. These should be in small bills.
  • If you’re bringing in medication, the bottles must have the information label intact. Medication purchased over the counter must be sealed on entry.
  • An alarm clock without a radio. Some facilities will provide these free of charge.
  • Jewelry that is considered essential (wedding rings, etc.) Other than those, your jewelry should be left at home.
  • A list of names of individuals you’d like to have involved in your treatment.
These are general guidelines of what to bring with you to rehab. As mentioned before, each rehab center has its own rules about what they are willing to allow. Please consult with your rehab center before checking in case they have other suggestions about things you should bring with you.
We accept most Major Insurance Providers.

Clothes To Consider Bringing (And Those to Leave Home)

Many rehab centers have dress codes for their patients. Usually, when you sign up with a rehab center, they will give you a list of outfits that you are allowed to wear when you’re a patient there. When packing, you should consider putting in a week’s worth of outfits based on the current season. Generally, the clothes you can bring should:
  • Be free of drug-related or offensive prints or references
  • Be comfortable, especially sleepwear
  • Not be revealing, although different centers interpret “revealing” uniquely
  • Include sneakers for outdoor activities
  • Include shower shoes or flip flops
  • Include a sweater or a jacket for indoor use
  • Include personal jewelry like wedding rings or watches
Anything that doesn’t fall into this category should be left at home. It is strongly advised that you limit the amount of jewelry you bring into the facility since there’s no guarantee of its safety. Expensive items should remain home where they are safe. This warning includes outfits, shoes, and anything else.

Personal Hygiene and Beauty Products To Pack

Basic toiletries are also required for any overnight stay at a rehab facility. Among the products you should take with you are:
  •  A toothbrush
  •  New toothpaste (unopened)
  •  Mouthwash (alcohol-free and unopened)
  •  Basic makeup (if desired, only the essentials)
  •  Feminine products (unopened)
  •  Lip Balm (unopened)
  •  Lotion (unopened)
  •  Sunscreen (unopened)
  •  Face cream and moisturizer (unopened)
  •  Shampoo and Conditioner (both unopened)
One of the issues many of our visitors run into is forgetting to double-check that their items are alcohol-free. While packing, you must double-check those labels to ensure that you aren’t bringing in any alcohol-based products.

Items Prohibited During Treatment atSouth Shores Recovery

Prohibited items include (but are not limited to):
  • Candles or incense
  • Food and Drink
  • Weapons
  • Electronic Devices
  • Makeup or Jewelry in excess of the basics
  • Vitamins, supplements, or OTC medication that is opened or unsealed
  • Aerosol products
  • Alcohol-based items
  • Drug-related items
Additionally, pornography, sporting equipment, and dental floss are strictly prohibited. These guidelines were developed to help individuals focus on recovery without fear of being distracted. Some of these items present a clear temptation to others within the facility. Since our primary focus is on ensuring that we have a safe and secure facility for all patients, these items are strictly forbidden from the premises.

Can I Bring My Cellphone Or Laptop To Rehab

Cellphones, laptops, and other electronic devices are prohibited on the premises. If you arrive at the facility with a cellphone, it will be stored securely until you leave. Laptops and tablets aren’t permitted, so it would be best to leave them home. These electronic devices are dangerous in rehab because they provide a way to distract oneself, leading to relapse.
Additionally, communication through these media (texts, calls, social media, etc.) provide a way for a recovering person to seek out substances banned on the premises. To control the prevalence of this type of behavior, rehab centers usually prohibit using these electronic devices within the facility.

Other Items That Might Be Best Left Home

Personal razors and nail clippers are also on the list of forbidden items. These items can be easily turned into a weapon which may endanger the lives of others in the building. As a result, they are banned from entering the premises. If you have particular needs for food and drink, you will have to tell us beforehand to develop a diet that meets your needs. You are not allowed to bring any outside food or drink into the facility. Cards, games, and sporting supplies are not allowed, as the facility will supply these. It’s best to leave equipment and games like those at home.
While electronic devices are not allowed (which means no tablets, cellphones, laptops, etc.), you may bring a portable personal music player. Check with the admissions staff on entry to see if your mobile device is allowed. Generally, cigarettes are not allowed, and if you would like to quit, we can offer you some smoking cessation options. Beauty products such as nail polish or synthetic nail-related products are also banned from the premises.

Storage Of Personal and Prohibited Items

If you do come to the facility with prohibited items, we will store them while you’re there. We secure these items and ensure that no one else can use them. You can rest easy knowing that our admin staff takes care of your items. When you check out, you’ll receive all those items you stored with us when you came in. While it’s always safer to leave your forbidden items home, we will offer you a chance to stow those items with our admin staff if you forget to leave them home.
We accept most Major Insurance Providers.

Prepare Yourself for An Adventure in Healing

Overcoming addiction doesn’t have to be an arduous task. Accepting that you have a problem and seeking help is the first step to overcoming this issue. Thanks to our individual approach to recovery and our unique, results-based methodologies, we are sure that you’ll enjoy the time spent here with us. At South Shores Recovery, our staff is welcoming and understanding, willing to help you with anything you need. Our professionals are trained and ready to guide you towards recovery through their proven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches.
Healing from addiction takes time. You need to allow yourself to understand what you’ve been through and how it has affected you. But you don’t need to face the road to recovery alone. Let us turn your struggle into an adventure with the proper support and tools to give you back your life. Contact South Shores today to learn more about what we offer.