How to Prepare for Your Stay at a Residential Treatment Facility for Substance Abuse

Before entering a residential treatment center, you must ensure all your obligations are taken care of. Worrying about your job, family or finances can cause distractions that affect the progress of your treatment. You must communicate with your employer about entering a treatment facility to ensure you keep your employment during your stay. You should also consider setting up automatic payments for any bills you must pay while you’re away. 

If you are a primary caregiver, communicate with your support network about looking after your children or pets for the duration of your treatment. If that is not an option, you can look into temporary childcare services. 

Essential Items Needed for Your Stay

When preparing for your stay, it can be tempting to overpack with items that remind you of home. However, bringing only the essentials will help lessen outside distractions. Here is a list of what you need to bring for your stay with us: 

• Photo Identification: Work/school ID, driver’s license or passport. 
• Medical information: Health insurance and benefits card — major insurance plans are acceptable. 
• Medication: Prescription medication with a list of dosages and frequencies — preferably printed by the pharmacy if possible, supplements and over-the-counter medication in their original containers. The nursing staff keeps all vitamins and medications and dispenses them as directed. 
• Clothing: One to two weeks’ worth of seasonally appropriate outwear and footwear.
• Hobby items: Small musical instruments, arts/crafts materials, small sporting equipment, recovery and spiritual reading material or sentimental items. 
• Cash/Debit Card: Each resident can keep a limit of $40 cash for personal items.

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Items That Are Provided On-site 

Our aim is to help you through your journey. Here are a few items we provide on-site to enhance your stay: 

• Bathroom items
• Supplies for journal/letter writing