How to Prepare for Treatment at St. John’s Recovery Place and Addiction Rehab

The intake and rehabilitation process looks different for everyone. Not every single rehabilitation program will work well for each client. And likewise, this may mean that although you must perform many of the same steps to get ready for addiction therapy to begin, you may also perform some additional tasks for yourself to help you prepare for the world of substance abuse treatment.

Here at SJRP, we treat men and women ages 18 and older. We begin our introduction into rehab with a screening phone call, a confidential conversation, an informational briefing, and an introduction to our compassionate treatment team.

There are many ways you can begin to prepare yourself for substance abuse treatment. You may choose to start cutting back on your substance use, removing dangerous or unhelpful people out of your life, or even trying deep breathing techniques to help you remain calm. Of course, if you choose not to do any of these things, that is completely fine as well.

All you need to do to start the inpatient care process with SJRP and prepare for treatment is:

  • Review your “what to bring to treatment” packet.
  • Please create a list of your emergency contact numbers or phone numbers of family members that you would like to have handy at our facility.
  • Make any phone calls you need to make before admission. These calls might include making any necessary home, pet, or child care arrangements before admitting yourself into recovery.
  • Prepare for being secluded on our treatment campus for anywhere from 30 days to six months. We do not transport clients off campus for activities like personal shopping, banking, haircuts, etc.
  • Bring the contact information for anyone that we will need to send a “Presence in Treatment” letter. This contact information may include your lawyer, a judge, employer, EAP, therapist, physician, probation officer, etc.
  • Pack the necessary items you will need for your stay in rehab.

Once you get the phone calls and the needed arrangements out of the way, it is time to pack. You’ve let everyone that needs to know what you are doing and when you are doing it. You’ve prepared your life and your belongings as best as you can for your time away; now it is time to make sure you have everything you need for your actual stay in West Melbourne rehab.

The act of packing itself can prove a daunting undertaking. People often overpack for even the smallest of one-week vacations. So, how are you meant to pack the right way for a long-term stay of 30 days to six months? There are many items you will need for your stay in rehab that we suggest you bring. But there are also many items that we will have to insist that you leave behind.

What you should bring to our rehab in West Melbourne includes:

  • Make sure to pack all your necessary clothes and shoes to cover 30 days to six months. All clothing should be casual and conservative. Pack enough clothing to last you 10 to 14 days.
  • Laundry services are available on the SJRP campus so that you can clean the clothes you do bring.
  • Be sure you bring all of your prescription medications for your entire stay. You must make sure to bring your prescriptions in their original containers. Please place all medications in one bag for inspection upon arrival.
  • Remember to pack your ID or driver’s license.
  • Pack your insurance/prescription/pharmacy card, dental insurance information, or alternative prescription payment methods.
  • Be sure to bring personal spending money, including cash, credit card, or visa gift card.
  • Do not forget to pack your toiletries! All containers must be new and unused upon your arrival (including shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc., for personal hygiene).
  • A comfortable jacket or sweatshirt. It can become chilly inside the facility or at night.
  • A conservative bathing suit.
  • Make sure to bring with you a minimum cigarette or dip supply for one week. These supplies help ease you into the detox period, and all packs and canisters must come into the facility unopened. We do not permit the use of e-cigarettes on our campus.

The items you should not bring with you to rehab include:

  • Do not bring drugs, alcohol, sleeping aids, cough syrups, or drug paraphernalia. All illegal or legal substances that you bring with you deemed unfit for possession will need to be turned over to a nurse to be disposed of.
  • Do not pack electronic devices, including laptops, video games, cameras, DVDs, TVs, e-readers, etc.
  • You may bring your cellphone with you to rehab, but we will take and secure it for safekeeping in our safe for you once you are on campus.
  • No mouthwash containing alcohol.
  • No aerosols; this includes shaving cream.
  • No over-the-counter medications.
  • Do not bring any weapons or anything that may be deemed a hazardous object by staff members.
  • Do not pack hair dye, coloring products, nail polish, or nail polish remover.
  • No torch lighters.
  • Do not pack sporting equipment, including weights, fishing rods, baseball bats, etc.
  • Leave all paints, adhesives, incense, candles, fireworks, rubbing alcohol, or paint thinners behind.
  • Outside food or drink is prohibited on campus.
  • Do not bring cooking utensils or coffee-making devices with you to treatment.

There are a lot of things you cannot bring to rehab. And at times, that may feel stifling or frustrating. But it is important to remember that you also have the opportunity to bring a lot of things with you at the same time. In addiction rehab, you have the chance to distance yourself from the hectic schedule of daily life. It will be challenging to do, but all you need is to commit yourself to the process.

We here at St. John’s Recovery Place want to see you grow and succeed in your recovery goals. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction or substance abuse, give us a call at 1-833-397-3422 to learn more about how SJRP can help you recover. You no longer have to be a slave to alcohol or drug abuse. Recovery is possible, and we will be here to cheer you on through every step of the way!

References

  • SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Home Page. (Accessed 2021, June 30).
  • SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Admissions. (Accessed 2021. June 30).
  • NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help. (2021, March). (2021, July 1).
  • NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse: Advancing Addiction Science. Publications. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Principles of Effective Treatment. (2018, January). (2021, July 1).
  • SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Contact Us. (Accessed 2021, July 1).