What can you bring to rehab ?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 113
What can you bring to rehab ?
So after my last incident I decided I will be going to rehab for 18 days starting march 30. Kind of scared. What can I bring with me? what happens all day long? can I bring my cell phone? will there be any free time?
any other tips or things I should know?
any other tips or things I should know?
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 12,000
a good attitude,
and no you can't sneak anything in, your possessions are quarantined and thoroughly searched, you're not even allowed to bring gummy bears along... and forget about having your cell phone assuming it is a real rehab.
18 days will go by so fast you won't even know it, the entire thing is setup like a boot camp - sort of, you are on a schedule, a lot of group sessions and meetings, three meals a day, and maybe a snack late after the last aa meeting around 930 PM. Lights out at 10 PM, you will have chores, you will have a small group assigned to a specific counselor during your stay. no fraternizing with the opposite sex is strictly enforced - assuming it is a decent place. and yes, they will throw you out if you refuse to follow the rules, if you have a good insurance plan you will be welcomed to say as long as possible, if you have a crappy insurance plan and cannot afford to pay the 1000/day fee you will complete the program and graduate early - congratulations.
DO TAKE YOUR PHONE WITH YOU. It will be locked up and it is possible to have access to it. Highly doubtful though depending where you are.
Once you get over the vast mix of people, it ain't that bad. if you like turkey bacon, this is your lucky day, if you like real bacon - use you imagination.
and no you can't sneak anything in, your possessions are quarantined and thoroughly searched, you're not even allowed to bring gummy bears along... and forget about having your cell phone assuming it is a real rehab.
18 days will go by so fast you won't even know it, the entire thing is setup like a boot camp - sort of, you are on a schedule, a lot of group sessions and meetings, three meals a day, and maybe a snack late after the last aa meeting around 930 PM. Lights out at 10 PM, you will have chores, you will have a small group assigned to a specific counselor during your stay. no fraternizing with the opposite sex is strictly enforced - assuming it is a decent place. and yes, they will throw you out if you refuse to follow the rules, if you have a good insurance plan you will be welcomed to say as long as possible, if you have a crappy insurance plan and cannot afford to pay the 1000/day fee you will complete the program and graduate early - congratulations.
DO TAKE YOUR PHONE WITH YOU. It will be locked up and it is possible to have access to it. Highly doubtful though depending where you are.
Once you get over the vast mix of people, it ain't that bad. if you like turkey bacon, this is your lucky day, if you like real bacon - use you imagination.
A simple guy making his way
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Maine
Posts: 7,867
Zoomi... I have been to a few rehabs. No you cannot bring anything. And forget who ever is at home waiting that you need a cell phone.
Please take the time at rehab to be at rehab. You are the most important at this time and the more you "let go" the more you will "get back".
Please take the time at rehab to be at rehab. You are the most important at this time and the more you "let go" the more you will "get back".
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,759
When I was in rehab, the day was very 'structured'. There wasn't much 'free time' as the total focus was on sobriety. And the one I went to did not allow cell phones and it would not have been easy to 'sneak' one in. If you do that and are caught, it will put a bad spin on your experience there.
Go and be prepared to be out of circulation for a while. You are there to focus on your recovery, nothing else.
Go and be prepared to be out of circulation for a while. You are there to focus on your recovery, nothing else.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 285
Originally Posted by zoomi 
Will we have any free time at night to just read? or go for a walk? or is it like your trapped 24/7
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
I entered rehab in August 1990 when
family did an intervention on me. It
was court ordered at the time.
Times have changed since 1990.
I would suggest to follow what is suggested
for you to do. I didn't have a choice to go
into rehab like so many have in todays time.
As I look back on my own experience, I have
to say that each day I am grateful for my family
for stepping in to get me help when I didn't ask
for it or want it. They did for me what I couldn't
do for myself.
I would go in with an open mind. Open your
mind and heart to the help that this place and
these folks can give you in helping you learn
about your addiction. The help in teaching you
ways to live life on lifes terms without trying to
numb or poison yourself with alcohol or drugs.
Take this time, this small amount of time to
absorb all that they are teaching you so that
you can begin to build a strong, solid recovery
foundation to live your life upon for yrs to come.
1990 was 24 yrs ago and my experience
has led me to where I am today. Im healthier,
happier, honest and so much more of a responsible
person that I was meant to be over the yrs of
changing, maturing and growing.
I realize today that going into rehab was not
gonna be a quick fix solution to my addiction,
but rather a journey in life taking one day, one
step at a time living and incorporating those
valuable lessons I absorbed those first 28 days
I was sober.
You have a chance like so many to do something
awesome for yourself first and then for others down
the road.
The Promises are waiting for you as you
begin your journey in recovery.
family did an intervention on me. It
was court ordered at the time.
Times have changed since 1990.
I would suggest to follow what is suggested
for you to do. I didn't have a choice to go
into rehab like so many have in todays time.
As I look back on my own experience, I have
to say that each day I am grateful for my family
for stepping in to get me help when I didn't ask
for it or want it. They did for me what I couldn't
do for myself.
I would go in with an open mind. Open your
mind and heart to the help that this place and
these folks can give you in helping you learn
about your addiction. The help in teaching you
ways to live life on lifes terms without trying to
numb or poison yourself with alcohol or drugs.
Take this time, this small amount of time to
absorb all that they are teaching you so that
you can begin to build a strong, solid recovery
foundation to live your life upon for yrs to come.
1990 was 24 yrs ago and my experience
has led me to where I am today. Im healthier,
happier, honest and so much more of a responsible
person that I was meant to be over the yrs of
changing, maturing and growing.
I realize today that going into rehab was not
gonna be a quick fix solution to my addiction,
but rather a journey in life taking one day, one
step at a time living and incorporating those
valuable lessons I absorbed those first 28 days
I was sober.
You have a chance like so many to do something
awesome for yourself first and then for others down
the road.
The Promises are waiting for you as you
begin your journey in recovery.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
zoomi.....
I decided to answer you here so that not
only you but for others as well to understand
why I am still here on SR after being sober for
as long as I have been.
I learned early on in recovery that in order
for me to keep what I so worked hard to maintain
in life and sobriety is that I need to give it away.
To give away the knowledge of recovery using
the AA program that was taught to me and that
I learned over the years to others in recovery
or just coming in.
I am here in SR to pass on my own ESH -
experiences, strengths and hopes of what
my life was and is like before, during and
after alcohol.
There were so many folks living a recovery
life well before I ever entered recovery. When
I walked thru the doors of AA, many of those
folks that had learned how to remain sober
a many one days at a time were passing on
their own ESH with me each day.
I was sooooo grateful to have those as they
refer to as old-timers paving the way for me
to follow so that I would never have to be alone
or try to figure out how to live life on lifes terms
by myself.
Im one of many here in SR in many stages of
recovery and we are all guiding each other along
in our journey. If we were not here for you then
how would you know what to expect in life further
down the road as you remain sober?
How would I know what alcohol is still doing
out there in the world today some 24 yrs later
sober, if the newcomer doesn't seek recovery
and let us know that they have picked up a drink
again and how it is still kicking azz big time.
I look at it as we all can help each other to
learn how to get sober and remain sober. The
fellowship within recovery, the folks in recovery
remind me each and everyday that even tho
I have no desire to drink today, doesn't mean
tomorrow, something out of the clear blue wont
get me mad or angry, or have someone or some
thing to pizz me off. What does an active alcoholic
do?
Reach for poison to numb those unwanted feeling.
When I share here in SR or in meetings, I share
what has worked for me over the yrs. Sharing
to help someone is full filling. It keeps my own
recovery alive and working each day so that
I can remain sober, healthy happy and honest
in all my affairs.
I love helping people all to the best of my
ability. It is rewarding.
If you talk to other members who are living
the AA program of recovery and have managed
to remain sober a number of yrs. will all share
how it has worked for them. We continue to
help the newcomer or guide them along in their
recovery life listening, learning, absorbing and
applying all that wonderful knowledge in order
to enjoy the gifts of the Promises offered to us
in AA.
Of course this is how it has and still works for
me.
Also, I do find balance with life and recovery
so that I can enjoy, appreciate all that life
has to offer to me.
I decided to answer you here so that not
only you but for others as well to understand
why I am still here on SR after being sober for
as long as I have been.
I learned early on in recovery that in order
for me to keep what I so worked hard to maintain
in life and sobriety is that I need to give it away.
To give away the knowledge of recovery using
the AA program that was taught to me and that
I learned over the years to others in recovery
or just coming in.
I am here in SR to pass on my own ESH -
experiences, strengths and hopes of what
my life was and is like before, during and
after alcohol.
There were so many folks living a recovery
life well before I ever entered recovery. When
I walked thru the doors of AA, many of those
folks that had learned how to remain sober
a many one days at a time were passing on
their own ESH with me each day.
I was sooooo grateful to have those as they
refer to as old-timers paving the way for me
to follow so that I would never have to be alone
or try to figure out how to live life on lifes terms
by myself.
Im one of many here in SR in many stages of
recovery and we are all guiding each other along
in our journey. If we were not here for you then
how would you know what to expect in life further
down the road as you remain sober?
How would I know what alcohol is still doing
out there in the world today some 24 yrs later
sober, if the newcomer doesn't seek recovery
and let us know that they have picked up a drink
again and how it is still kicking azz big time.
I look at it as we all can help each other to
learn how to get sober and remain sober. The
fellowship within recovery, the folks in recovery
remind me each and everyday that even tho
I have no desire to drink today, doesn't mean
tomorrow, something out of the clear blue wont
get me mad or angry, or have someone or some
thing to pizz me off. What does an active alcoholic
do?
Reach for poison to numb those unwanted feeling.
When I share here in SR or in meetings, I share
what has worked for me over the yrs. Sharing
to help someone is full filling. It keeps my own
recovery alive and working each day so that
I can remain sober, healthy happy and honest
in all my affairs.
I love helping people all to the best of my
ability. It is rewarding.
If you talk to other members who are living
the AA program of recovery and have managed
to remain sober a number of yrs. will all share
how it has worked for them. We continue to
help the newcomer or guide them along in their
recovery life listening, learning, absorbing and
applying all that wonderful knowledge in order
to enjoy the gifts of the Promises offered to us
in AA.
Of course this is how it has and still works for
me.
Also, I do find balance with life and recovery
so that I can enjoy, appreciate all that life
has to offer to me.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,781
Don't feel bad, I had a major relapse and I'm going into detox/ rehab and staying as long as my insurance will pay.. I've been going to AA for a couple years when things weren't the best, when things we're good and I had a pocket full of $ I was nowhere to be found.. I have my big book packed up, 12x12, back to basics and several more.. Use this time to learn, get clean, and share.. My sponsor told me I wasnt a bad man I was a sick man.. You're not there to make friends, you're there to get better.. Say a prayer for me and I will do the same... Wishing you the best!! D
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