The night before you check into rehab, you will probably lay everything out on your bed and second-guess every item. Will they confiscate the mouthwash? Can you bring your phone? Should you pack workout clothes or will that be pointless? Most facilities post a packing list on their website, but those lists tend to be generic and miss the things that actually matter — what to wear in group therapy, what to do about your prescriptions, what photos to bring when you are not sure how you will feel about your family in week three. This is the practical, lived-experience version.
Call the facility first. Every center has slightly different rules, and the admissions counselor you spoke with has seen a thousand packing lists. Ask three specific questions: what items are confiscated at intake, what is laundry frequency, and what they provide versus what you supply. Then pack from this list with those answers in mind.
Clothing: Pack for 7-10 Days
Most residential programs do laundry once or twice a week, so you do not need 30 days of clothes for a 30-day stay. Pack 7 to 10 days of layers you can mix and match. Comfort matters more than style; you will spend ten or more hours a day in group therapy chairs.
- 5-7 t-shirts or casual tops (no alcohol, drug, or gambling references on prints — most centers ban these on sight)
- 2-3 long-sleeve shirts or sweaters for cold group rooms
- 5-7 pairs of underwear and socks
- 2-3 pairs of pants — at least one comfortable pair for evening, one nicer pair for family visits
- 1-2 pairs of pajamas or sleepwear that meets the dress code (most centers require shoulders and knees covered in shared spaces)
- Closed-toe shoes for daytime; sneakers if you may exercise
- Slip-on shoes or slippers for the bathroom and common areas
- Light jacket or hoodie; A/C in many treatment centers runs cold
- A swimsuit if the facility has a pool — modest cuts only at most centers
Skip anything you would not wear in front of your sponsor, your therapist, and a 19-year-old roommate at the same time. Treatment dress codes are stricter than you expect.
Toiletries: Alcohol-Free, Sealed, Small Quantities
This is the category where the most stuff gets confiscated at intake. The rule: nothing containing alcohol in the first three ingredients, nothing aerosol, nothing in glass, and everything in sealed factory packaging if possible. Bring two to three weeks' supply — most centers have a small store or van trip for resupplies.
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (plastic bottles only, no alcohol)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Deodorant — stick or solid only, no aerosol
- Razor (some centers issue these; ask first) and shaving cream — non-aerosol
- Brush, comb, hair ties
- Lotion, sunscreen, lip balm (check the alcohol-free rule)
- Feminine hygiene products — full supply for your stay
- Glasses, contact lenses, contact solution
- Hairdryer or styling tools if permitted (some centers prohibit any heating element)
The mouthwash question. Most facilities ban anything with ethanol — that includes Listerine and most mouthwash. Bring an alcohol-free brand (Crest Pro-Health, ACT, Tom's of Maine) or skip it. The same rule applies to hand sanitizer, cologne, perfume, hair spray, and most aftershaves.
Documents and Medical Records
Pack a small folder with these in one place. The intake nurse will keep most of them, then return them to you the day you leave.
- Photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Insurance card (front and back; physical card is preferred to a phone screenshot)
- List of every medication you take, including dosage, prescribing doctor, and pharmacy — including over-the-counter supplements and vitamins
- Pill bottles in original labeled packaging for any prescriptions you are continuing during treatment
- Your prescribing doctor's contact info, in case the medical team needs to verify dosages
- Emergency contact information — two people, with phone numbers and relationship
- Past treatment records if you have them; not required, but speeds up assessment
- A small amount of cash ($20-$60) for vending machines, the resupply store, or AA chip baskets
If you are on [[medication-assisted-treatment-guide|medication-assisted treatment]] for opioid or alcohol use disorder, bring documentation from the prescriber. Most reputable centers continue MAT through your stay; some older 12-step-only programs do not. Verify this before you arrive.
Comfort Items: What Actually Helps in Week Three
Treatment programs run on a structured day — therapy, meals, more therapy, free time, sleep. The free time is where comfort items earn their keep. Some suggestions from people who have been through it:
- 3-5 printed photos of people, pets, or places that ground you (no glass frames)
- A journal or notebook plus a few pens (most centers ban anything that could be sharpened to a point)
- Books — non-fiction, recovery memoirs, or anything that is not romance, true crime, or substance-themed
- A reusable water bottle (clear plastic or metal, no straws in some centers)
- Letters or cards from people who matter, for the hard days
- A few small mementos — a chip, a stone, a piece of jewelry that means something
- Stamps and envelopes if you want to write letters home (many centers limit phone calls in the first week)
Things to Leave Home
This is not a complete list of contraband — every facility has its own — but these are the items most commonly confiscated at intake:
- Any alcoholic beverages or non-prescription drugs (obvious, but listed because people try)
- Mouthwash, hand sanitizer, or hygiene products containing ethanol
- Energy drinks, kombucha, or non-alcoholic beer (anything with even trace alcohol)
- Medications not in original prescription packaging
- Anything sharp — pocket knives, scissors, sewing kits, nail clippers (most centers issue these on request)
- Aerosols of any kind
- Candles, incense, lighters, matches (smoking areas are usually supervised; lighters issued at the door)
- Valuable jewelry or large amounts of cash
- Revealing clothing — short shorts, tank tops with thin straps, see-through fabrics, shirts with substance references
- Outside food or sealed snacks unless the facility specifically allows it
- Electronics beyond what the facility allows — see next section
The Phone and Laptop Question
Policies on personal electronics range from complete confiscation for 30 days to short daily access. Ask before you arrive. The most common arrangements are: phone collected at intake and returned during scheduled call windows; laptop and tablet allowed only in family visiting hours; smartwatches collected entirely. Some executive-track programs allow more device access on the assumption that residents need to maintain work responsibilities. If your job depends on email contact, ask explicitly during admissions and get the answer in writing — getting your phone unexpectedly confiscated on day one and missing two days of work is a preventable shock.
What Centers Almost Always Provide
You do not need to pack any of this, even though some packing lists imply you should:
- Bedding, sheets, pillow, and towels
- Laundry detergent and access to washers and dryers
- Three meals a day plus snacks; most centers have 24-hour access to coffee, tea, fruit, and basic snacks
- Most over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, antacids) by request through the nurse
- Recovery literature — Big Book, NA Basic Text, daily readers — usually in common areas
- Notebooks and pens for therapy assignments
- Personal care basics if you forget something — most centers stock a small back-up supply
- Sober activities — yoga mats, gym equipment, art supplies, group game library
Special Situations
If you are detoxing on-site. You may not feel like unpacking your nice clothes for the first three to seven days. Pack a smaller "detox bag" with comfortable sweats, slip-on shoes, a soft t-shirt, electrolyte powder, and any continuing prescriptions on top, so the rest of your luggage can wait.
If you have a chronic medical condition. Bring a one-week supply of any medication, your prescribing doctor's contact information, and a written note from them confirming the regimen. The center's medical staff will handle ongoing supply but needs the bridge.
If you are a pregnant or postpartum mother. Specialized programs exist and the packing list is different — prenatal vitamins, comfortable maternity clothes, lactation supplies if applicable. Ask the admissions team for their specific list.
The Day Before You Leave
Do three things the day before your admission date:
- Confirm your transportation. Most centers either pick you up or coordinate with a sober-transport service — driving yourself is usually allowed but discouraged because you cannot drive yourself home if you change your mind on day three.
- Set up an autoresponder on your work email if you have not told your employer. "I am out of office for medical leave until [return date]" is sufficient; you do not need to explain.
- Pack your bag, then unpack it, then repack it with the list above. The act of doing it twice helps you find the things you sneaked in that you actually do not need.
If you are still unsure about a specific item, the safest move is to leave it home. The hardest part of the first week of rehab is not what you brought; it is what you are about to face. Read [[what-happens-after-detox|what happens after detox]] and [[how-to-get-into-rehab-today|how same-day admission works]] to set realistic expectations for the early days.