You’re ready to go to treatment—there’s just one step left. Packing! While you can usually buy any basic supplies you forget, it’s still best and most comforting to ensure you have what you need from home. What to bring to rehab and what you should leave behind are common concerns when entering a treatment facility.
Every treatment facility has approved and suggested items to bring, as well as items that are not permitted. It’s a good idea to call the center and find out what those are. Feel free to contact Michael’s House at 760.548.4032, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.
What to Bring to Treatment
- Photo ID – Driver’s license, passport or other photo ID that shows name and date of birth. (NOTE: If no photo ID is available or the DL does not show current address, provide a current bill with name and current address.)
- Insurance Card/Prescription Card
- Cell Phone – To protect privacy and minimize distractions, cell phones will be stored for duration and only used with clinical approval. Bring a written list of frequently called numbers.
- Debit Card or Credit Card to put on file for pharmacy
- Prescription medications that are NOT controlled substances
- Personal hygiene articles including bath soap, deodorant, shampoo, disposable safety razors (no loose blades), toothpaste, toothbrush, feminine and other hygiene products
- Hair appliances
- Casual clothes appropriate to the season, walking or tennis shoes, socks, sweats. Refer to the Dress Code below. Recommend packing 7-10 days clothing. There is no charge for use of onsite laundry facilities and soap.
- Seasonally appropriate outerwear
- Bathrobe, slippers and pajamas
- Cigarettes if desired. Vapes are allowed. ALL TOBACCO/VAPE PRODUCTS MUST be sealed and unopened or they will be disposed of.
- Reasonable amount of spending money for items needed.
- Pillow (optional)
- Watch (not smart watch), alarm clock without radio
Dress Code – Prohibited Items and Restrictions
- No seductive, see-through, revealing clothing
- No Speedos or two-piece swimsuits unless stomach is completely covered
- Spaghetti straps are to be worn as undergarments only
- No short skirts
- Shorts can be no shorter than a 4-inch inseam
- No shoes with heels higher than 2 inches
- No shirts with cut-out sleeves exposing side
Restricted Items
Patients may have temporary access to items not detrimental to treatment as determined by the treatment team.
- Musical Instruments
- Arts & craft items such as needlepoint, knitting, crocheting – no oil paints or paint cleaning supplies
Prohibited Items – Do Not Bring These Items!
The following items will be removed from partients on admission and placed in secure storage.
Do not bring more than 1 large suitcase, 1 small suitcase and a purse or backpack.
- Illegal drugs, alcohol, mood/mind altering substances, items containing CBD/THC and paraphernalia – all are considered contraband and WILL BE DESTROYED.
- Prescriptions classified as controlled substances. Other medications must be in their original labeled bottles, or they WILL BE DESTROYED.
- Over the counter medications, herbs, supplements, or non-prescription vitamins
- Electronic equipment including smart watches, computers, tablets, cameras or any electronic items with video capability, video tapes or DVD’s
- Music playback equipment including portable MP3 and CD players, clock radios, smart watches, etc.
- Weapons including firearms, ammunition, knives, mace, etc. For safety purposes, ammunition for a firearm we store WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
- Scissors other than for grooming
- Items with SD, propyl, methyl or ethyl alcohol in high concentrations where those alcohols are listed in the first 2 ingredients of a product, such as hairspray, body spray
- Powders in open containers such as baby powder, talcum powder, deodorant powder, medicinal powder, etc.
- Flammable items such as candles, incense, lighter fluid, aerosol products, fireworks, etc.
- Irons
- Expensive jewelry/items or large amounts of money
- Books/magazines are limited to 3 items and must be appropriate for treatment as specified below.
- Pornographic, inflammatory, or violent literature, depictions or personal items including sexual stimulation items, emblems, decorations, or quotations on clothing that allude to sex, violence, satanism, or drug/alcohol use
- Sports equipment including, but not limited to, bikes, skateboards, roller blades, hover boards
- No food items are allowed, unless they are medically approved for specific dietary needs. This needs to be approved prior to admission.
Food and beverages other than water are not allowed in rooms.
NOTE: Any item brought in by patients or their family members that is determined by staff to be detrimental to the treatment environment or process may be confiscated.
Have Questions About Preparing for Rehab at Michael’s House?
The Michael’s House treatment team reserves the right to prohibit, on an individual basis, items that have a strong potential of interfering with recovery. All personal items will be subject to search by agency staff at admission, randomly, and after off-campus outings. That is to say, we want you to be healthy, comfortable, and progressing in your treatment goals!
If you have any questions about what to bring or what will be provided, just give us a call at 760.548.4032. We’re here to answer your questions about treatment, admissions, and more.
