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Preparing for Recovery: What to Bring to Drug Rehab

Making the decision to get help for substance abuse is one of the most life-changing choices a person can make. The disease of addiction affects millions of people each year. As of 2014, an estimated 20 million people suffered from some form of substance use disorder. But what can you expect at rehab? What to bring to drug rehab may also be on your mind.

3 Minute Read | Published Oct 02 2023 | Updated Mar 11 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by

What to Bring to Drug Rehab to Make Sure You Are Prepared

In this article, we will look at what to bring to alcohol rehab and ways on how to prepare for inpatient rehab.

Inpatient Treatment Checklist

Being prepared is a good thing, even when it comes to what to bring to drug rehab. Making sure that you have everything you need for your time there can save a lot of hassle trying to get the things delivered.

What to bring to drug rehab that is very important includes the following:

  • Any medication that is over-the-counter that you need. You can bring these in their original packaging.
  • Prescription medication that you were given. Keep these in the container you got them with from the pharmacy.
  • Your Medicaid information and any additional private insurance information.

What to bring to drug rehab that isn’t mandatory but still worth bringing:

  • Deodorant to keep you smelling good.
  • Modest clothing that is suitable for all weather types expected in the area.
  • A warm jacket or coat, along with something that you can sweat in.
  • Shoes that you can walk in comfortably.
  • Disposable razors.
  • Hair products such as a hair dryer, comb, etc.
  • Personal hygiene products such as shampoo, body lotion, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Tampons and any other personal health item.
  • Family photos or something from your home to help you think of your loved ones who are supporting you in your recovery.
  • An umbrella and sunscreen depending on the weather.
  • Your favorite pillow to sleep on.
  • Anything that might inspire you, such as a book or a souvenir.
  • Pens, a notepad, envelopes and stamps.

Generally, you can bring anything that will make you more comfortable that isn’t going to harm someone or be a nuisance. Food will be provided throughout the inpatient rehab program.

Ways on How to Prepare for Inpatient Rehab

Now that you have what to bring to alcohol rehab sorted, you are ready to go. However, you may still feel nervous about everything involved in getting better. To that end, we will briefly discuss what you will go through in rehab.

It starts with a thorough assessment of your needs. An addiction specialist will sit with you and discuss all of the aspects of your addiction. Be honest. The more they know, the better they will be able to help you.

Once assessed by an addiction specialist, you will then most likely begin with detox. Often medically assisted, a detox needs to happen so that the person is mentally healthy enough to tackle the important issues that may have caused their substance abuse in the first place. Detox can be assisted with medication if the symptoms are severe.

Once detox is completed, you are ready to participate in all of the therapeutic activities that will help you get to the heart of your substance abuse problem. This is achieved through private and group therapy. Once you have learned the relapse prevention skills, which mostly involve coping with stress in a healthy way, you are ready to go back home and start your new life.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help right away. Make a phone call that will connect you to a professional drug treatment center. The call you make may save your life or the life of someone you love. Call us today at (800) 429-7690.

Resources

bullet Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2015).
"Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet Cocozza, J. J., Steadman, H. J., & Dennis, D. L. (2008).
"A growing need: Services for children in the juvenile justice system with co-occurring disorders. National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet McHugh, R. K., Hearon, B. A., & Otto, M. W. (2010).
"Cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use disorders. Psychiatric Clinics, 33(3), 511-525."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet McLellan, A. T., Lewis, D. C., O’Brien, C. P., & Kleber, H. D. (2000).
"Drug dependence, a chronic medical illness: Implications for treatment, insurance, and outcomes evaluation. Journal of the American Medical Association, 284(13), 1689-1695."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018).
"Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). National Institute on Drug Abuse."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (2012).
"Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (2014).
"Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45: Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
bullet Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (2019).
"The Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): 2007-2017. National Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)."
Retrieved on March 29, 2018
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