Signing up to go into an inpatient rehabilitation center for any mental disease or addiction can be terrifying. You are planning on isolating yourself from your friends and family, as well as from any unhealthy coping mechanisms in order to do one of the hardest jobs that anyone can do: get well. One way to reduce the stress of the transition is to make sure that you bring the right items to rehab with you. Even though it's very common, many people are embarrassed if they bring something that is subsequently taken away and stored until they are released. Here is a list of items that you need to bring in order to feel like yourself and be as comfortable in rehab as possible.
1. Hygiene Products
For most inpatient rehabilitation centers, you are going to need to make sure that you bring your own soap, shampoo, conditioner, and other hygiene products. If shaving any part of your body is important to you, you might want to consider purchasing an electric razor. You will almost certainly not be allowed to bring a normal razor for safety purposes, but many rehabs will allow you to bring an electric razor because they rarely cause any sort of injury. If you are female, you will want to make sure that you bring enough pads and tampons.
When you are deciding how much of each product you should bring, ask your doctors for an estimate for how long you will be there. Try to bring slightly more product than you would need for that estimated period of time.
2. Pictures and Notes
Ask your friends and family to send you pictures and write notes for you. These small items will help you keep your spirits up and remind you that there is a life outside of rehab.
3. Lists of Phone Numbers and Addresses
Many rehabs will not allow you to use the Internet. This will make it very difficult to contact your friends and family unless you have their phone numbers. Since you will probably not be allowed to bring your phone, make sure that you create a list of all of the people that you might want to contact, as well as all of their non-electronic contact information.
4. Writing Utensils and Paper
Make sure that you bring a notebook or a ream of paper. It's common for therapists to give their patients writing exercises to help them try to reveal their true feelings or other breakthroughs. There's no guarantee that the rehab will have supplies to give you.
For more information about what you are and are not allowed to bring, contact the rehab center directly.
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