Many people are afraid to even set foot inside a rehab facility, mostly because they have a fear of the unknown. When you check yourself in, what will happen? Will you be shouted at like one would be in the army? Told to pull yourself together? Perhaps you will even be strapped to a hospital bed until you forget your addiction.
Know that the admissions process for rehab is nothing like this at all. It is comprised of a group of people who truly care about your healing process and want to make it easier for you to fight and beat your addiction. When being admitted, you will need to follow a few rules though, for example, you will likely not be able to have a cellphone with you, a television or CD player, a tablet or even an iPod. You won’t be able to bring in any addictive substances (for obvious reasons) and may not even be able to bring in your own food or drinks. Weapons and pornography are obviously out of the question.
So what can you bring in? Well, it is a good idea to keep your ID, your passport and a little money with you (which will be locked away for safe keeping) and you should wear clothes that are comfortable. If you need to contact anyone, you will be able to bring in vouchers for the phone and should try to bring any books that are healing oriented.
Do not bring in jewellery or any other valuables as the rehab centre cannot be responsible for these being stolen, and anyway, you really don’t need them. Remember that at rehab, you are not putting on a fashion show or trying to outdo anyone.
Rehab is about your personal journey to healing and thus when being admitted, you only need to bring those things that will really help you heal, and not the things you have become so used to having with you every day. Also, remember that by following the rules, you are committing to your own healing, so give yourself a real chance to heal.