Your Rehab Checklist
Rehab Checklist - What "not" to bring to treatment
If you are reading this checklist then I wholeheartedly congratulate you for taking the right step. It may not even entirely have been your choice, it may not even be close to your idea or it may be that "moment of clarity". Truth is that it does not matter how you made it to the "Rehab Checklist". What matters is that you have your suitcase, garbage bag or pillow case out (depending on traveling style). Now you just need to figure out what to bring and what not to bring.
Rehab, Drug Abuse, Treatment, Detox, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Addiction Reviews, Chemical Dependency
What to bring and what NOT to bring!
If you are reading this checklist then I wholeheartedly congratulate you for taking the right step. It may not even entirely have been your choice, it may not even be close to your idea or it may be that "moment of clarity" that is often heard in the hallowed halls of AA. Truth is that it does not matter how you made it to the "Rehab Checklist". What matters is that you have your suitcase, garbage bag or pillow case out (depending on traveling style). Now you just need to figure out what to bring, how much to bring and WHAT NOT TO BRING.
1) Pack more clothes than you think you will need, you will need them all. If you think you don't need cold weather clothes, bring them. If you think you don't need hot weather clothes, bring them. If you think 5 changes of clothes is more than enough bring 10 or 15. You may well be there for a LOT longer than you think. I can almost absolutely guarantee that you meet friends and offering a warm coat on a cool night can be very rewarding.
2) Photos of family and friends - You will be cut off from your loved ones. You will miss them dearly. Bring some photos and keep your spirits high.
3) Bring sweets and small packaged snacks - You will be withdrawing and your mind will want something to take the place of the substance. You will find more people craving sugar in Rehab than you can possibly imagine, including you. Allow yourself a little comfort, a little comfort food.
4) Cigarettes if you smoke - If you smoke and you are considering quitting during rehab, I wish you luck. You will only end up bumming smokes from people around you. Don't make the mistake of not being prepared there are always people in rehab that take without giving. Don't be one of them! If you decide that you can quit then you will likely be helping out dozens of new friends by giving up the smokes that they desperately need. Bring them!
5) Electronics and cell phones - It depends on the rehab as to whether they will allow computers, Ipods and other electronic devices. Some take them away and others allow for limited usage. Cell phones in particular are almost always taken away, siting the camera that is installed in them (HIPPA rules). You may want to get a disposable phone that has a lot of minutes and no camera before you go if you need to stay in touch with folks on the outstide. It is this authors opinion that the more contact you have with the outside the more likely you will have trouble in early recovery, too many emotions in a very emotional time.
6) LEAVE THE SUBSTANCES OUT! - We all go into rehab "hot" (well about 99% of us do). We all think about the last chance effort, like we want to be as high as possible so we can get our moneys worth. Leave it out of your bag, don't start things off badly by getting things found when they search you, and they will. If you have toiletries with alcohol or other over the counter medications that can get you high, just forget it or find a product that works in its stead.
Things probably look very dim for you at the moment, you are anxious, afraid and ashamed. You are not alone or soon you will not be alone. The minute you walk into rehab you will find that everyone you encounter is feeling just like you. In short order you will have dozens of friends and laughing harder than you ever expected. I know that is almost impossible to believe but you will soon find out for yourself. I can be absolutely sure it will happen to you because I have been to 5 Rehabs myself and it always happens, if you let it. Keep the faith!
If you are reading this checklist then I wholeheartedly congratulate you for taking the right step. It may not even entirely have been your choice, it may not even be close to your idea or it may be that "moment of clarity". Truth is that it does not matter how you made it to the "Rehab Checklist". What matters is that you have your suitcase, garbage bag or pillow case out (depending on traveling style). Now you just need to figure out what to bring and what not to bring.
Rehab, Drug Abuse, Treatment, Detox, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Addiction Reviews, Chemical Dependency
What to bring and what NOT to bring!
If you are reading this checklist then I wholeheartedly congratulate you for taking the right step. It may not even entirely have been your choice, it may not even be close to your idea or it may be that "moment of clarity" that is often heard in the hallowed halls of AA. Truth is that it does not matter how you made it to the "Rehab Checklist". What matters is that you have your suitcase, garbage bag or pillow case out (depending on traveling style). Now you just need to figure out what to bring, how much to bring and WHAT NOT TO BRING.
1) Pack more clothes than you think you will need, you will need them all. If you think you don't need cold weather clothes, bring them. If you think you don't need hot weather clothes, bring them. If you think 5 changes of clothes is more than enough bring 10 or 15. You may well be there for a LOT longer than you think. I can almost absolutely guarantee that you meet friends and offering a warm coat on a cool night can be very rewarding.
2) Photos of family and friends - You will be cut off from your loved ones. You will miss them dearly. Bring some photos and keep your spirits high.
3) Bring sweets and small packaged snacks - You will be withdrawing and your mind will want something to take the place of the substance. You will find more people craving sugar in Rehab than you can possibly imagine, including you. Allow yourself a little comfort, a little comfort food.
4) Cigarettes if you smoke - If you smoke and you are considering quitting during rehab, I wish you luck. You will only end up bumming smokes from people around you. Don't make the mistake of not being prepared there are always people in rehab that take without giving. Don't be one of them! If you decide that you can quit then you will likely be helping out dozens of new friends by giving up the smokes that they desperately need. Bring them!
5) Electronics and cell phones - It depends on the rehab as to whether they will allow computers, Ipods and other electronic devices. Some take them away and others allow for limited usage. Cell phones in particular are almost always taken away, siting the camera that is installed in them (HIPPA rules). You may want to get a disposable phone that has a lot of minutes and no camera before you go if you need to stay in touch with folks on the outstide. It is this authors opinion that the more contact you have with the outside the more likely you will have trouble in early recovery, too many emotions in a very emotional time.
6) LEAVE THE SUBSTANCES OUT! - We all go into rehab "hot" (well about 99% of us do). We all think about the last chance effort, like we want to be as high as possible so we can get our moneys worth. Leave it out of your bag, don't start things off badly by getting things found when they search you, and they will. If you have toiletries with alcohol or other over the counter medications that can get you high, just forget it or find a product that works in its stead.
Things probably look very dim for you at the moment, you are anxious, afraid and ashamed. You are not alone or soon you will not be alone. The minute you walk into rehab you will find that everyone you encounter is feeling just like you. In short order you will have dozens of friends and laughing harder than you ever expected. I know that is almost impossible to believe but you will soon find out for yourself. I can be absolutely sure it will happen to you because I have been to 5 Rehabs myself and it always happens, if you let it. Keep the faith!