Preparing for an inpatient rehabilitation stay requires careful planning regarding personal belongings. Understanding the specific packing guidelines ensures a smooth admission process and allows you to focus fully on recovery. This guide provides clear instructions on what to bring and what to leave at home, aligning with the safety and therapeutic goals of most residential facilities.
Essential Personal Items and Documents
Your packing list should focus on comfortable clothing suitable for daily activities and therapeutic sessions. Most facilities recommend packing about a week’s worth of casual, loose-fitting attire, as on-site laundry access is typically provided. Practical items include sweatpants, comfortable shirts, and layering pieces like cardigans or light jackets, since indoor temperatures can vary. Also bring comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers for activities, along with shower shoes or flip-flops for shared spaces.
All personal hygiene products and toiletries must adhere to strict safety regulations, primarily by being completely alcohol-free to prevent misuse. This includes products like mouthwash, perfume, cologne, and hand sanitizer; check the ingredient list of every item. Most facilities require liquid toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, to be new and unopened upon arrival. Aerosol cans are universally prohibited.
Bring all prescription medications in their original pharmacy bottles with the clear, intact label detailing the prescribing physician, dosage, and frequency. Facility staff must verify and manage all medications, so pre-verification with the admissions team is required before packing. Any liquid medications must also be new and sealed to confirm contents and prevent tampering.
The admission process requires specific documents: a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) and your current health insurance card. Compile a list of emergency contacts, including phone numbers and addresses for family, friends, and outside healthcare providers. Bringing a small amount of cash, typically $50 to $100 in smaller bills, is generally permitted for vending machines or minor purchases, along with a debit or credit card for payment needs.
Items That Are Strictly Prohibited
A significant category of items is strictly banned in all inpatient settings to maintain a focus on treatment and ensure a safe environment. The most common restrictions involve electronics with communication or internet capabilities. This includes cell phones, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. This restriction serves a therapeutic purpose by removing external distractions and potential triggers, allowing for deeper engagement in the recovery process.
Any substances that could compromise the therapeutic environment are prohibited. This includes alcohol, illicit drugs, drug paraphernalia, and non-approved over-the-counter medications. This restriction extends to opened vitamins, supplements, or any product containing alcohol, as clinical staff cannot properly verify or monitor them. Items like nail polish remover or certain hairsprays are often banned due to their chemical composition.
Items posing a safety risk are removed immediately during intake screening. This includes all weapons and sharp objects like knives or scissors. Common grooming tools, such as nail clippers or disposable razors, may also be restricted and checked out from staff when needed. Aerosol sprays are prohibited because the contents can be misused and the cans pose a safety concern.
Clothing restrictions are enforced to support the recovery atmosphere and promote respect among residents. Attire featuring explicit language, references to drugs or alcohol, or triggering images must be left at home. Revealing or excessively tight clothing is also not allowed, as the dress code favors modesty and comfort for all activities.
Guidelines for Comfort and Entertainment Items
Some personal items are permitted to enhance emotional comfort and provide healthy stimulation during downtime. Reading materials are generally allowed, but they must be paperback books, as hardcovers can conceal prohibited items. Most facilities prefer self-help, inspirational, or spiritual texts. Content with overtly sexual or violent themes is typically not allowed.
Writing materials like journals or notebooks are encouraged for self-reflection. Simple pens or pencils are allowed, though they may be counted or kept by staff when not in use. Reflective writing is a common therapeutic tool that promotes emotional processing. Small, non-valuable personal mementos, such as unframed photographs of loved ones, can also be reassuring additions to your room.
All comfort and entertainment items are subject to inspection and approval by facility staff before they are allowed into the residential area. This screening ensures that personal items do not violate the safety or therapeutic rules of the program. If you are unsure about a specific item, contact the facility directly before packing it.
Practical Packing and Arrival Logistics
Efficient packing requires understanding the facility’s quantity limits, which are often strict due to limited storage space. Many centers request that you limit belongings to a single suitcase or duffel bag, typically containing about seven days’ worth of clothing. This limit is practical because on-site laundry facilities are almost always available, meaning you do not need to pack for the entire length of your stay.
Upon arrival, all luggage will undergo a thorough screening process by the admissions team. This inspection is a standard safety procedure to ensure no prohibited items enter the environment and to catalog your belongings. If non-approved items are found, they will be temporarily confiscated, stored until your departure, or sent home with the person who dropped you off.
Leave all high-value items at home, including expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, and anything with significant sentimental value. Facilities cannot guarantee the security of these items, and avoiding their loss removes unnecessary stress during treatment. Focusing only on necessary and approved items streamlines your arrival and sets a tone of dedication to the recovery process.