While every drug rehabilitation center differs in what is and isn’t allowed, there are some items that are generally prohibited. What’s more, strict policies serve to provide the best care in a variety of effective treatment options.

Drug Rehab Centers Have Different Policies

In 2014, the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) conducted a survey that showed over 21 million people needed treatment for abusing drugs or alcohol. Out of all those people struggling with some kind of drug addiction, the sad truth is only around 2 million people received the proper treatment they needed. For whatever reason, it is clear that people suffering from drug addiction are unwilling to seek critical treatment needed for recovery.

Deciding to enter a drug rehabilitation center is a major choice, and one that requires in-depth research to ensure you’re receiving the best treatment for you.

What to bring, and what not to bring, to a drug rehabilitation center can be difficult to access, and may add more stress to an already stressful situation. It is important to understand that all rehabilitation centers are different, and may implement different policies. Which policies are implemented depend on the particular center, level of care, and specific needs of the individual.

You may want to check out the drug rehabilitation center’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) page for more information. Regardless of which center you choose, there are things you should never bring to a drug rehabilitation center.

What Not To Bring To A Drug Rehabilitation Center

Across the board, it is generally the case that all drug rehab centers will have strict policies and rules for treatment. Strict policies promote good health, a stable and safe environment, and fewer distractions during the rehabilitation process. While all treatment and drug rehabilitation centers have different rules, the following items are generally prohibited:

• illicit drugs
• alcohol
• food or drinks
• unnecessary prescription medication
• weapons of any kind
• opened or previously used over the counter medications
• pornography
• clothing with inappropriate language or images
• excessive amounts of jewelry or makeup

This may not be a complete list of every item you cannot bring to drug rehab, but does include common things that are usually considered problematic for your recovery. These items may also be construed as suspicious or potentially used to sneak drugs in, tempt you to seek a desired high or escape by any means possible, or pose safety risks to yourselves or others.

The above items are likely to be prohibited at all drug rehabilitation centers, but other items may be restricted, or possibly allowed, at some centers.

Items That May Be Restricted Or Prohibited

Some items may simply prove to be too much of a distraction. Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder that requires extensive measures to treat. Any unnecessary distraction may inhibit the success of treatment. Some of these items may be prohibited or restricted:

• cell phone
• computer
• supplemental vitamins
• cigarettes
• other items to make you more comfortable, like blankets or pillows

Restricted items may be available for use under certain caveats or stipulations. While this may seem harsh, these items are restricted to benefit the individual and provide essential lifestyle changes needed in order to beat addiction. Before you jump to conclusions, it is crucial to understand why successful treatment demands letting some things go during the process.

Why Certain Items Are Restricted Or Prohibited

As you research drug rehabilitation centers, it may be frustrating to come across so many strict rules and policies for treatment. However, it is crucial to understand why drug rehab centers operate in ways that seem restrictive, or even oppressive. Drug addiction is a disease that changes a person’s behavior, and drug rehabilitation centers enact policies to make sure these complex behaviors do not influence the course of treatment.

When a person uses drugs, they are likely to act in ways that only serve their addiction. For example, a person may continue to use drugs despite obvious harm to themselves or others. Successful treatment must then employ strict policies to change destructive behavior.

By the time people enter a drug rehab facility, they are often to the point where drugs have taken over their lives. Abusing drugs is likely all they think about, and can disrupt their relationships to family, the workplace, and the community. Treating addiction is more than just stopping use of a particular drug, but must address all aspects of the person’s life, needs, and behavior in order to be successful.

This is why the most effective programs inform people what not to bring to a drug rehabilitation center, so the person can limit all distraction and focus solely on improving their choices and behavior.

Understanding what treatment options are available may be useful for getting in the right mindset, and willingly leave the extraneous things behind.

Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Options

Effective programs implement a variety of treatment options. These include:

• Family Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy
• Contingency Management

Family Therapy is especially useful for younger populations struggling with drug addiction. The person will examine how family interacts with their drug use, and how certain dynamics or relationships may contribute to the cycle of abuse.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aims to help patients deal with stressful situations that may occur outside of the facility after treatment. In order to get better, the person must change their attitudes and behavior about using drugs.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy works to change internal behaviors that can help a person become more responsive to seeking treatment in the future. The person may be less concerned with what not to bring to a drug rehabilitation center, and more focused on getting better and receiving treatment.

Contingency Management uses positive reinforcement to reward behavior that is needed for successful treatment. Things like staying drug free, engaging in counseling and therapy sessions, and limiting distractions may be rewarded in order to reinforce productive behavior.

Modifying a person’s behavior and attitude towards drugs require multiple components that also include substance abuse monitoring, recovery support programs, and constant care. All these components, and many more, establish a person will get quality treatment; however, they only make a difference when the person is 100% committed to getting better.

Asking what not to bring to a drug rehabilitation center matters less than an individual’s willingness to put themselves out there, engage in therapeutic activities, and do whatever it takes to beat drug addiction.

For More Information Related to “What Not To Bring To A Drug Rehabilitation Center” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

• 5 Ways People Enable Their Addicted Loved One
• What Is A Relapse Prevention Plan?
• The Importance of Aftercare When Leaving A Drug And/Or Alcohol Rehab Program
• The Benefits of Faith-Based Recovery Programs
• How Much Does a Drug and/or Alcohol Intervention Cost?

Sources

NIDA – Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations
NIDA – The Science of Addiction: How do the best treatment programs help?
NIDA – Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction