You’ve finally decided to take your health seriously and overcome the grip of addiction. All the paperwork is complete, and you’ve made up your mind to turn over a new page in life.
Enrolling yourself in new jersey drug rehab and counseling is a crucial step that will take you on the right path. It will help you to become a better person with no distractions and temptations you face in your day-to-day life. However, the journey will not be easy. But, to make it a lot better, you can bring the things with you that will help you stay focused on your journey and have a great impact on your overall experience of the treatment.
Now, you only need to pack and set off on this journey. However, did you know that you can’t take certain objects to rehab?
If not, check these lists to pack all the essentials and leave the controversial stuff behind!
Things that are mentioned below will guide you for all the essential things that you can carry, as well as the items you’re better off at leaving home. With the help of these items, you can create an ideal environment for you and it will lead you toward the most satisfying and successful journey. This is your time to grow, heal, improve, and reclaim your life throughout your treatment for the betterment of the rest of your life.
Things to Bring
1. Toiletries
While going to rehab, bring all your necessary toiletries. The most luxurious rehabs might offer you toiletries as well. However, it’s safer to use your own products, especially if you’re allergic to anything.
A few toiletries to carry are:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo, conditioner, hair oil
- Hairbrush
- Men’s grooming kit (shaving cream, beard trimmer)
- Feminine hygiene products (for women)
- Skincare
- Basic makeup (if necessary)
Note: Ensure none of them have alcohol.
2. Positive attitude
Even the best rehab in Malibu advises you to be willing to get treatment and embrace a positive attitude. To ensure 100% success of your treatment, you must genuinely want a change in your life.
They will conduct several holistic treatments, 65 one-on-one therapies, and group therapies under the guidance of skilled experts. They’ll also offer you a range of solutions to work on your issues.
However, you must be eager to participate and stay hopeful. With a positive mindset, you will boost the chances of swift recovery even more!
3. Necessary and approved medicines
If you have a chronic medical condition, seek approval from the authorities and bring the medicines along with you. However, don’t take an unsealed bottle of medicines as that’s not allowed. Buy a new sealed bottle of medicines if necessary.
Further, bring enough medicines for the entire stay at once. After checking in, you may not be able to receive medicines from outside.
4. Smartphone/Laptop
Electronic devices are a must-have for work. Some rehabs also allow remote work, so your professional life is not affected while you receive treatment. Some people also need these just to connect with family and friends.
So, bring your smartphone, laptop, and other relevant gadgets like earphones and chargers.
5. Enough clothes
Bring comfortable clothes for at least 7 days, including shirts, pants/shorts, nightwear, undergarments, and shorts, depending on the weather. For cooler seasons, bring a sweatshirt, jacket, and shawl. Carry 1-2 fancy dressy outfits for special occasions and visiting hours.
For shoes, bring a comfortable, sturdy pair for regular use, a pair of slippers for indoors, and a pair of flip-flops for showers.
The treatment will also include athletic activities like yoga, walks, fitness classes, and gym visits. So, pack activewear and shoes. If swimming facilities are included, get a swimsuit and bathrobe.
6. Documents
A few documents you can/must bring to the rehab are:
- One identification card, such as a passport, state-issued photo ID, or driver’s license.
- A journal to write in during self-reflection sessions.
- If you want to send letters, stationary like envelopes and stamps.
- Carry the list of names, phone numbers, and addresses of all close ones who know about your rehab treatment.
- Photos of loved ones
Visits:
Visiting Hours: There are certain visiting hours in the rehab centers as well. Firstly, you need to understand the visiting hours policies. After that, you can inform your family and loved ones to visit in specific time periods only.
Additional Tips:
- Label all the products in order to avoid loss and mix-ups.
- Some of the centers allow you to bring personal comfort items, so you can carry your own pillow, comforter, or blanket with you.
- Also, you can carry books and Journals, in your free time, you can read novels and write your own on-experiences in your journals.
- Watch or Alam Clock: You can bring a non-radio alarm clock or a simple watch that will help you keep a record of your time.
- Glasses: Everyday glasses or prescribed sunglasses can also be considered as basic needs.
- Contact lenses: A sufficient amount of supply of contact lenses and cleaning solutions to clean them.
- Backup supplies: An extra pair of glasses in case you rely heavily on them.
Note:
Before taking such items with you, just make sure that these items are allowed within the premises or not.
Things Not to Bring
1. Alcohol, drugs, or anything containing those
These are the basics!
You can’t bring any alcohol or drugs. The same goes for daily-life products that people may use as drugs, including perfumes, colognes, mouthwash, nail polish remover, aerosols, and whiteners. If you bring any of these, ensure there’s an alcohol-free label on it.
Even if a specific drug or alcohol is legal in your state, you can’t bring it with you. If you are caught with it, you might get into a tricky situation. Other addiction patients might also be affected, and the staff will be in trouble.
It’s the same for tobacco products, including normal cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Normal cigarette smoke may trigger relapse. They are extra careful because 40-60% of substance abuse-recovering people relapse. The nicotine of e-cigarettes can be switched with THC or marijuana. Moreover, please do not take a vape with you as we don’t know what kind of substances it contains, it may affect your treatment course. In rehab centers, the facility of vape juice is available, and you can purchase it.
2. Jewelry, cash, expensive items
Unless it’s something you can always wear (like a wedding band, watch, or earrings), never take any other jewelry or valuable items with you. So, if it’s an heirloom, cash, branded clothes, or shoes, keep them at home.
3. Candles, incense
Even if you use candles and incense for relaxation, it’s not allowed in rehabs. These increase the risks of fire hazards and trigger relapse symptoms. Some even use them to cover other substances’ smells.
4. Weapons
Avoid bringing these obvious dangerous objects to the rehab, as they all can be used to harm oneself or others:
- Guns
- Knives
- Scissors
- Reusable razors
- Blades
- Nail clippers
- Mirror or anything made of glass
- Wires
- Ropes
- Strong threads
5. Eatables
While you might want to take your stash of food and beverages for snacking, that’s not allowed in most rehabs. There are two reasons behind this.
First, they put you on a balanced diet with strict nutritional value to help your body recover and detoxify faster. They also have scheduled meal timings.
They closely monitor your caffeine and sugar consumption. Often, food with high added sugar content isn’t allowed at all. These foods can even make you crave substances.
Secondly, they can’t be sure whether your food is laced with any substance. This can hamper your recovery journey. If anyone gets access to your laced food, it’ll also harm them. And, of course, the rehab will be held responsible for the chaos and get in trouble.
6. Cleaning Supplies
A reliable rehab will either offer their own cleaners or offer you select cleaning supplies. They won’t let you bring your own because many cleaning supplies are misused as substances.
7. Inappropriate Articles
Rehabs try to create a soothing and calming environment and help people connect with themselves. In such circumstances, they won’t let anyone bring in inappropriate articles like anything related to pornography.
These can be magazines, CDs, or even videos on your phone. They are a major distraction to the healing process. They also won’t let you bring inappropriate clothes, including revealing outfits or clothes with texts that promote violence, substance use, or profanities.
Conclusion
To sum up, reviewing the list of items you are taking with you will help you create a positive environment that will help you heal, which will help you stay focused fully on the transformative work ahead. It is important to make contact with rehab centers and ask them about the policies and restrictions they have implemented within the center just to avoid facing any worse situations. Bring only those items that are essential and will make your stay comfortable. Also, be prepared for the transitions and challenges you’ll face in rehab. Finally, ensure you follow all the rules and enjoy a happy and fruitful stay!
