Preparing for your rehab stay is one of the cornerstones for a successful treatment. In addition to keeping everything secure and smooth while you’re away, it’s also a great way to stay “busy but relaxed” from the time between your decision and the start of the treatment.
So if you ask yourself “how do I prepare for rehab?”, in this article, you’ll find the answer! So without further ado, let’s dive in.
Reach Out for Your Loved Ones to Create a Support System
The first thing you need to prepare for the journey is your mind itself. The time between deciding to seek help and starting the treatment is usually the hardest.
You might have a lot of mixed feelings of confidence and fear during that time. However, it’s important to take time to enjoy the positive action you’re about to make and practice good behaviors like positive self-talk.
Your support system starts with you. Remind yourself why you need rehab and that everything will be better once you’ve gone through that journey.
In most cases, your loved ones will already know about the substance abuse problem you have. But, if they don’t know, being upfront with them and asking for their emotional support during that time will help you stay in good control of the situation.
Take Care of Any Legal and Financial Affairs
Worrying about loose ends being met while you’re away is one of the things that might cause a few problems while in rehab.
If you have any financial or legal affairs like rent, bills, or mortgage payments, you should make sure to take care of them before you go and arrange for them to be paid in time.
Also, if you have a job, you should let your employer know about your upcoming rehab stay. Keep in mind that your job should be protected during your stay in rehab due to the Family and Medical Leave Act for up to 12 weeks.
Lastly, if you have children or pets, make sure that you arrange for them to be safe and taken care of during your stay.
Pack Only The Essentials
With everything else prepared for, it’s time to pack the things you’ll need during your stay. Remember that you’ll be there for at least a month, so you have to make sure that all the necessary items you need are there.
Any rehab center will give you a list of items that are not allowed into the facility. Also, there might be a counselor who recommends specific items. You might have access to laundry in the facility, so a week’s worth of clothing is usually enough.
In addition to clothing here are some few essential items to bring along:
- Any prescription medications and insurance cards
- Government identification documents
- A list of essential phone numbers
- A journal and pens for writing letters and your thoughts
- Credit card and cash in small bills for stores and vending machines
- Alcohol-free toiletries
- Shower robe and comfortable slippers
