What to Bring to Rehab

Inpatient rehabilitation at a treatment center can mean days or weeks away from home. You’ll need to pack necessities, from clothing to medications, to help you stay comfortable throughout your treatment.

However, it’s important to note that most rehabilitation or treatment centers have very strict policies on what you can and can’t bring to rehab. These policies are meant to keep you, your belongings, and your fellow patients safe.

Before you attend rehab, your treatment center should provide you with a checklist of items to bring. If you are unsure what to bring, you should always ask before you arrive.

A Packing List for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

You should pack items for rehab as if you are going on a trip and staying in a hotel. In general, rehabilitation centers recommend you bring the following items for your stay:

• A list of who you want involved in your treatment. Include names, addresses and phone numbers of any sponsors, loved ones, or healthcare providers your treatment center may need to contact during your stay.
• Jewelry you wear every day, like a wedding ring or watch.
• A list of any medicines you take as well as any prescription medicines you take in the correct, labeled pharmacy bottle. Liquid medicines should be new and still sealed. Any over-the-counter medications should also be new and unopened.
• A small amount of cash (less than $100) in small bills or change for runs to the store or trips to the vending machine
• Your credit or debit card to pay for any medicines you take for treatment
• Your insurance cards and a picture ID
• A calling card (if you cannot have your phone and your facility does not provide free long-distance calls)
• A notebook or journal
• Pictures of your loved ones
• Self-help or recovery paperback books (many facilities provide reading material)
• Glasses or contacts as needed
• Personal hygiene items like deodorant or shampoo that are new and unopened
• Shaving razor or electric razor and shaving cream
• Unopened cigarettes (if your facility allows smoking on the premises)
• Hobby items, such as knitting or sketching, as approved by your facility

You should bring items you use every day and help you feel clean, comfortable, and confident. Remember that some items may not be allowed in your facility because they interfere with treatment.

Packing Clothes for Drug Rehab

You also need to bring clothing for your stay. Some facilities have dress codes you will need to follow. Always ask about your facility’s dress code if you are unsure what to bring.

You may want to bring clothing items such as:

• Comfortable every day shoes
• Shoes for sports or walks
• Flip-flops for the shower
• Slippers to keep your feet warm inside
• T-shirts or tops with sleeves and/or cardigans to wear over sleeveless tops
• Pants, shorts, or skirts that comply with the dress code
• Gym clothes for yoga, workouts, or other forms of exercise
• One or two nicer outfits for occasions like Family Night
• Socks
• Underwear
• Swimming trunks for men or one-piece bathing suit for women
• Bath robe
• Pajamas
• Seasonal clothes if it is cold, such as a coat or sweater, hat, and gloves

You should have access to laundry services at your facility, so you don’t need to bring clothes for every day of your stay. Simply bring enough clothes for about week or so.

Remember, you want to feel comfortable throughout your stay. Focus on bringing clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.

What Not to Bring to Rehab

When you arrive at your rehabilitation center, staff members will search your belongings to make sure that you aren’t bringing anything into the center that doesn’t belong. In general, you should leave the following items at home:

• Drugs, alcohol, or drug and alcohol paraphernalia
• Jewelry you don’t wear every day
• Other valuables you don’t want lost
• Your cellphone, laptop, tablet, smart watch, radio, or other electronic equipment
• Large amounts of cash (over $100)
• Any medicines not on your medication list
• Lots of décor or small items for your room
• Explicit reading materials or materials that aren’t allowed (may include some fiction and non-fiction, magazines, etc.)
• High heels or overly dressy clothes
• Musical instruments or devices
• Any weapons, including knives and guns
• Pornography of any kind
• Mouthwash and perfume that contains alcohol
• Herbs or supplements not prescribed by your physician
• Clothes that violate the dress code
• Any pets, even fish or lizards
• Board games, cards, and video games
• Candles or incense

You also won’t need to bring linens like pillows or blankets. These will be provided for you.

In addition to packing before you go to rehab, it’s important you have everything taken care of at home. You may need to pause your mail or arrange its pick up, coordinate care for your pet, and arrange for someone to look after your home and yard. Work with loved ones to ensure these tasks are taken care of before you come to rehab so you don’t have to worry while you are away.

You should also ensure that any alcohol, drugs, or paraphernalia is removed from your home. You won’t want to see these items when you return.

At Harmony Place in Woodland Hills, California, we provide a relaxing, comfortable environment for rehabilitation and recovery. Contact us today at 1-(888)-789-4330 to learn more about our services and how you or your loved one can prepare for a successful rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol. Check out our inpatient rehab treatment center in Los Angeles.