The time has come to get treatment for addiction. Whether it was a decision you made or a decision that was made because of circumstances surrounding your substance abuse, you know you need to go to residential treatment. The most important thing is to move quickly, without delay, but what is the next step? How do you prepare for residential treatment?
Choose a Facility That Suits Your Needs
Choosing the right residential facility for your treatment should not delay your getting help. Still, it is also important to find a facility that you feel comfortable with and that will actually help you heal. Personal recommendations from trusted sources are the most ideal, but if you do not have a recommendation, there is a lot of information about facilities and their programs easily accessible online.
Ultimately, you need to be comfortable with the program and the staff. Some of the hallmarks of a good residential program include:
- Using evidence-based practices
- Individualized treatment
- Offering a variety of treatment methods
- Trauma-informed care
- Offering detox with medical supervision
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment
- Support meetings
- Aftercare planning
- Alumni support
Enroll in a Residential Program
Once you have chosen a facility, contact them via phone or through their website to enroll in their program. They will help you through the admissions process, including:
- Basic enrollment information
- Insurance verification
- Your financial responsibility, if applicable
- What identification or documentation is needed
- Emergency contact person
- What to expect upon arrival
- Answering any questions you have
Facilities understand that this is an important time for you and your family and are willing to assist you in any way they can. They also understand the urgency of enrolling once you have made the decision to seek treatment, so they will support you in accessing treatment as quickly as possible.
Follow Instructions for Preparation
Once you have contacted your facility and enrolled, it is important that you follow their instructions quickly and carefully. This is just like going to a hospital for any other type of medical treatment and following your doctor’s instructions.
- Make any arrangements for childcare or pet care that are needed.
- Gather your insurance, identification, and emergency contact information
- Take care of payment method as necessary
- Follow the facility’s packing guidelines
- Make transportation arrangements
- Contact family and emergency contacts
Pack Simply and Carefully
Like going into the hospital for any other medical treatment, you want to pack reasonably light and leave all valuables at home. Check with your facility for a recommended amount of luggage and specific guidelines. Some general guidelines of what to bring include:
- Comfortable, casual clothing, including layers for weather
- Exercise clothing
- Outerwear that is weather appropriate
- Underclothing
- Personal hygiene items (no aerosols, alcohol-free)
- Existing prescription medications in original containers
- Any smoking, tobacco, or e-smoking products sealed in original packaging
- Journals or books
Due to the nature of the treatment facility, there are a number of specific items that you should NOT bring with you to treatment, including:
- Alcohol or non-prescription drugs
- Opened packs of cigarettes
- Over the counter medications or vitamins
- Baby powder or powder of any kind
- Perfume, mouthwash, or any product containing alcohol
- Aerosols
- Inappropriate clothing, including clothes with drug or alcohol logos or graphics
- Food, candy, or drinks
- Guns, knives, or anything commonly used as a weapon
When in doubt, leave it out. Facilities will search your bags for your own safety as well as the safety of others. Anything that does not follow the rules or is inappropriate will be confiscated. Keep in mind that your focus is to get healthy, so packing light will help you to stay focused.
Follow Through Without Delay
While there is much to do in a short amount of time to prepare for residential treatment, following through without delay is important to your treatment process. You cannot afford to put off this decision, or even worse, change your mind. If your substance use has gotten to the point that you need residential treatment, then this needs to be your top priority.
Preparing for residential treatment actually does not take a lot of time or extensive effort. The majority of your preparation is maintaining your resolve and following through with your commitment to yourself, your family, your friend, and your loved ones. Taking the initiative to seek healing for your substance use disorder is a life-changing step. Healing from addiction can change the trajectory of your life now and going forward. Pick up the phone, make that call, and don’t look back. That is the most important part of preparing for residential treatment.
How do I prepare for residential treatment? After choosing the facility that is right for you, contact them to enroll and follow their instructions. Make any arrangements you need to and pack simply and carefully, bringing only the basics of what you need. Most importantly, follow through without making any excuses or delays, as this could be one of the most important things you will ever do for yourself. The Ho Tai Way – Recovery For Women is a detox and residential treatment facility for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer trauma-informed care for safety in healing and evidence-based practices to offer you the best chances for success. We also offer many different types of treatment, including holistic treatments, so you can receive the individualized treatment you deserve. Contact us at (714) 581-3974 to learn more about our programs. Let us help you find your way again.
