What to Bring to Rehab?

Checklist for What to Include (and Not Include) Packing for Rehab

Ingrained Recovery is an upscale drug and alcohol rehab center in Eastman, Georgia. Our treatment center addresses addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), people who attend addiction treatment are more likely to recover than those who need treatment but don’t get it.

While pursuing treatment can be nerve-wracking, it is essential for many people in Georgia and across the United States. To put one question to rest and make your preparations easier, let’s get answers on what to bring to rehab.

Packing for an inpatient treatment stay at an addiction treatment facility is one of the necessary steps in preparing for treatment. As a result, you may wonder what to bring and what to leave at home.

First, let’s go over a list of items you should bring to rehab. Then, we’ll talk about the potentially prohibited items, that Ingrained and other leading rehab centers will require clients to leave at home.

Checklist of Items TO Bring to Inpatient Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

The following is a general list of the items many rehab facilities will allow or require you to bring.

Many rehab facilities, including Ingrained Recovery, will give you a comprehensive list of what you can and cannot bring to treatment before your first day.

Please call us if you are a prospective client who would like to go over a list of what to bring and leave home preemptively, or if you have any questions about the list below.

A Form of Identification and Important Documents

It is critical that you pack important documents you may need throughout the treatment process.

At Ingrained, these will include:

• One (or multiple) forms of identification. Most clients are able to bring a driver’s license or state ID. If you are a prospective Ingrained Recovery client and want to know which sources of identification are considered suitable at our facility, please call us.
• Important phone numbers (e.g., numbers for family members) and several emergency contacts, including the person’s full name, address, and phone number.
• Your health insurance card (or insurance cards, if you have more than one).
• Necessary medical records.

Current Prescription Medications

Make sure to bring any prescribed medications in their original containers, with your and the prescribing healthcare provider’s name. That way, staff will be able to confirm that any necessary medications were prescribed to you.

Toiletries and Feminine Hygiene Products

Bring any personal hygiene items you like to use regularly, but do remember that alcohol is prohibited in rehab centers. Permitted items will likely include:

• Personal hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, facial skin care items, menstrual or feminine hygiene products, and other basic toiletries (e.g., lotion).
• Alcohol-free toiletries (e.g., alcohol-free mouthwash or nail polish remover) to replace any products containing alcohol you may have used.
• Shaving cream and disposable or electric razors.
• A toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Nail clippers and files.

Please leave out any makeup and nail polish, particularly those containing alcohol or other astringents.

Appropriate Clothing (Consider the Climate and Recreation Activities)

Make sure to pack a good amount of comfortable clothing (about 7-10 days worth) for treatment. This should include tops, bottoms, socks, comfortable shoes, such as tennis shoes, outerwear, and underwear.

Assuming that laundry facilities are available at the treatment center you attend, you will be able to wash and re-wear clothes regularly, so about one week’s worth of clothing should be sufficient.

Many treatment facilities, including Ingrained Recovery, include recreation activities as part of their residential treatment program. For example, hiking, which will require activity and weather-appropriate clothing. Contact your treatment provider to discuss the clothing items necessary for their program.

Comfort Items and Reading Materials

You may find that special items from family members, like stuffed animals or quilts, are comforting to have while in treatment. If you would like to bring your own pillow, a journal or notebook, or approved reading materials, most treatment facilities will allow it.

Although meals and snacks are provided daily at our facility, Ingrained allows clients to bring snacks from home if they are fully sealed.

Approved or Necessary Electronic Items

While you will have to store cell phones and electronics during therapy sessions, we allow them in some instances.

At Ingrained Recovery, we have an executive rehab program. Clients in our executive rehab program are permitted to bring their laptops and will have internet access.

What Items are NOT Permitted at a Rehab Center?

The following items are usually prohibited at drug and alcohol rehab centers. If you aren’t sure whether a specific item is allowed or want to know if an exception is possible, call Ingrained first.

Inappropriate of Offensive Clothing Items

While you want to bring enough clothing to get through the week, leave inappropriate clothing items at home. For example, clothing items with profanity or otherwise offensive material are not likely permitted.

Sometimes it can be a hard decsion on what to bring, if this is the case, you may call us at Ingrained to confirm which clothing items are okay and which are not.

Dangerous or Sharp Objects

Dangerous or sharp objects are not allowed at almost all substance abuse and mental health treatment centers. Certain items, like razors, may be held by staff and given to you when you shower at some treatment centers.

Illicit Drugs and Prohibited Over-the-Counter Medications

While bringing prescription medication to rehab is essential, drugs and alcohol are not allowed. This will usually include electronic cigarettes and vaping devices.

If in doubt, don’t hesitate to call us and ask which over-the-counter medications you can bring. Some items, like cough syrup containing codeine, might not be allowed.

Note: If you are currently using substances, you will likely enter medical detox upon admission at our rehab facility. This will help you get through withdrawal symptoms.

Valuable Items (e.g., Wedding Rings)

It is recommended that you leave valuable personal items, like wedding rings or watches, at home. This is largely to ensure that you do not leave anything irreplaceable behind when you leave treatment.

Call Ingrained Recovery for Dual-Diagnosis and Addiction Treatment in Georgia

Our upscale treatment center is a leading destination for clients across the country seeking support, as well as Georgia residents wanting to start their recovery journey in a setting like few others.

Whether you have questions about what to bring to rehab, want to verify your health insurance coverage, or have any other questions about the treatment options at our facility, our team is here to help.

Please call our admissions line today to learn more about how Ingrained Recovery can support you or your loved one’s recovery process. We believe in every client’s ability to overcome substance use disorders and build a happier, healthier, and sustainable sober life.

FAQs Regarding What to Bring to Rehab

What clothes to take to rehab?

At Ingrained Recovery, the foundation for our rehab packing clothing checklist includes:

• Several pairs of shoes for different activities (e.g., athletic shoes, shower shoes)
• At least a week’s worth of underwear
• Sweaters or approved sweatshirts
• Long-sleeve shirts
• Short-sleeve shirts or tank tops
• Pants, shorts, or skirts
• Rain or winter coats
• Pajamas 
• Clothing appropriate for the season

What to do during rehab?

Ingrained Recovery clients follow a full treatment schedule of therapy sessions, recreation, physical activity, medication management sessions, and other activities. Though this leaves relatively little idle time, our rehab center offers games, fitness options, indoor and outdoor communal spaces, TV, and creative activities for clients to enjoy during downtime.

Consider bringing approved books to read during treatment. If you’d like to bring materials for a specific art project or something else you’re working on, you may be permitted to do so. Check with us to ensure that the materials fit into our policy.

References

1. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-10-00-001.pdf