Making the decision to enter a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program can be one of the most beneficial choices you can make for yourself. Sometimes the decision can be accompanied by feelings of uncertainty or fear, which is perfectly normal. Entering treatment for SUD is a big step, and your life will change drastically for the better. It is okay to feel a little intimidated.

Treatment facilities like Malibu Wellness Ranch are committed to helping you feel comfortable and supported while you make these decisions and begin to change your life. One of the first things that you might be concerned with is how to prepare for entering a treatment program. Being familiar with what to expect can help you feel more comfortable. 

Preparing to Enter Treatment

One of the best ways to mentally prepare for entering treatment is to communicate with your treatment center of choice. If you have questions and concerns, talk to someone about them. Your treatment center should be able to help you feel more confident and prepared about what to expect while you are in their care. 

You can also educate yourself on your treatment program and its facility. Understanding things like what kind of therapy you will be participating in can help you get in the right headspace to enter treatment more confidently. You can also look at brochures or the website for your treatment facility to get an idea of where you will be staying. Fear of the unknown is a significant factor when entering treatment, so learn as much as you can beforehand. 

The last thing you can do before entering treatment is to take care of practical things like packing your bag. Your treatment facility will likely have a list of things you can bring and restricted items you should leave at home. If you have any questions about that list, you should contact your treatment facility and ask. 

What to Pack

Every treatment center will have its own specific guidelines on what you should pack. Most treatment facilities require you to bring basic items necessary for travel and medical treatment, such as photo ID and medical insurance cards. You will probably also need to bring any medications that you are currently taking in their original packaging. 

At Malibu Wellness Ranch, we are situated on 800 acres of beautiful scenic land in the Pocono Mountains range. As a result, our client’s packing needs will be somewhat unique. We offer a variety of outdoor adventure therapies and recreational activities as well as participation in our signature equine recovery program. Our clients will need to bring clothing and shoe options that will accommodate all types of weather and outdoor activities in all seasons.

We ask that our clients bring all the toiletries they will need during their stay with us. These may include but are not limited to:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush and haircare products

Our clients need to bring any personal hygiene products they need, but these items may not contain alcohol. We also prefer that our clients not bring any perfume, colognes, or aerosol products.

Malibu Wellness Ranch encourages our clients to bring writing materials with them. Paper, journals, notebooks, and pencils or pens will help you record your journey through treatment and help you process what you are learning and how you are feeling. 

What Not to Bring to Treatment

You should never plan to bring any drugs, alcohol, or related paraphernalia to your SUD treatment program. This can also include clothing that promotes drug and alcohol use. You should also avoid bringing any clothing that may be inflammatory or triggering to others in treatment with you. Never bring any weapons of any kind to treatment with you. 

All of your nutrition and hydration needs will be provided by your treatment facility. Due to this, you do not need to worry about bringing any food or drinks with you. You may bring tobacco products with you, but they must be sealed. Nothing refillable is allowed. Because of this, if you need to bring vaping products, they will need to be exclusively disposable.

Ask Questions and Communicate When Unsure

Whether you have questions about what you can bring with you or what your treatment process will be like the best thing you can do for yourself is to communicate. Ask your treatment facility about its policies. Communicate your fears or concerns. Clear items you want to bring with you that aren’t on your packing list. It is better to ask and find out beforehand. Be patient with yourself, and remember that it is okay to ask questions and seek reassurance as you prepare to enter treatment.