Ready For Recovery?
Here’s What To Bring

If you or your loved one has never been to an inpatient treatment center beforehand, you likely have a myriad of questions regarding what steps to take in preparation. The majority of our guests are unsure what they should pack. What is provided for them, and what do they need to bring along? When it comes to preparing for an extended stay in a residential inpatient treatment center, there are several things you want to make sure to bring, several optional items that you can choose to bring or leave behind, and several items that you want to avoid bringing. We have broken down each of these lists for you, but remember, if you have any additional questions, you are welcome to contact us at any point in time.

What Do I Bring to Rehab?

When packing for The Plymouth House, be sure that you include the following items:

• Phone numbers – A list of names and phone numbers for pre-existing sober supports that you want to be a part of your recovery journey. You can contact them from our patient phone line while in treatment to start building your sober community. You will not have immediate access to your cell phone while in treatment.
• Medications – If you are currently taking any non-addictive, prescribed medications, be sure to bring along a list of those medications and the prescribing physicians (along with the medications themselves). At The Plymouth House we offer medication management services to our guests who are either taking medication already or who might be prescribed medication as part of our Medication Assisted Treatment program. Make sure that any medications you bring along have the original pharmacy label completely intact.
• A notebook or a journal – While we can provide notebooks, we do recommend that you bring along your own. Journaling will help you work through your thoughts and feelings, and allows you the opportunity to reference back at a later date to see how far you’ve come.
• Stamps and envelopes – Because time spent on the phone is limited, it is a good idea to bring stationary along in case you want to mail a letter to a friend or relative and let them know how you are doing and how much progress you have made.
• Any photos of your loved ones, or small items that remind you of home – We strongly recommend that you leave valuables behind, but you might want to bring a framed photo or a small trinket that holds personal significance to you. It will remind you to keep pushing forward in your sobriety. It is always nice to have a few items to make you feel at home.
• Enough clean clothing for one full week – We do have a laundry facility on-site, which is why we encourage our guests to pack somewhat lightly. When packing your clothing, be sure that you do not pack anything with a distinctive, substance-related slogan or image, or anything that could potentially be offensive to another guest. Also be sure to include athletic gear and hiking shoes, seeing as our guests spend an ample amount of time outdoors, enjoying the beautiful landscape of New Hampshire.
• Identification & Insurance – Bring along a form of identification (usually a driver’s license), your insurance cards, and a debit or credit card. It is always a good idea to have some form of potential payment on hand, should you ever need anything from the store, for example. Our support staff members hold onto cash, check books and debit or credit cards at all times. These items are stored in a locked safe and accessed only if necessary.

Clothing Checklist

It can be difficult to remember everything you need to bring as far as clothing goes, which is why we have created a clothing-oriented checklist.

Be sure to pack the following items:

• Shoes – Comfortable shoes for everyday wear, hiking shoes if you have a pair, and flip flops to wear in the shower. Try to avoid packing more than three pairs of shoes altogether!
• Shirts – Bring a couple of plain t-shirts and a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts. Remember to avoid packing shirts that have any potentially offensive or inappropriate images or slogans. Plain is good!
• Pants & shorts – We recommend bringing a pair of blue jeans, sweatpants and leggings, as well as shorts that are of an appropriate length.
• Socks – Don’t forget to pack several pairs of socks! Because nature hikes are part of some daily schedules, we recommend bringing at least one or two pairs of thick socks in addition to the socks that you normally wear.
• Undergarments – Plan on doing your laundry once a week – pack enough undergarments to last you for a full seven days.
• Pajamas – It can get chilly at night, so be sure to pack some comfortable and warm pajamas in case the temperature should drop!
• A warm coat or jacket – It is always good to bring at least one very warm coat or jacket with you, regardless of the time of year.
• A hat – While we do not allow guests to wear hats while they are indoors, it is always a good idea to bring a hat to shield the sun from your eyes during recreational activities. Or, during the winter, to keep warm.

Personal Hygiene Products

It is always a good idea to pack a small bag with some important personal hygiene items.

We recommend bringing:

• Deodorant
• A comb or a hairbrush 
• Toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Lotion 
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo and conditioner 
• A razor and shaving cream 
• Feminine hygiene products 

Our female guests are allowed to bring makeup, though we encourage them to apply their makeup sparingly. Guests are not allowed to bring mouthwash with any alcohol content, perfume or cologne, or aerosol products like hairspray.

Please Leave At Home

• Large sums of cash
• Expensive jewelry (Other than normal everyday jewelry such as a wedding ring.)
• Controlled Substances (even if prescribed) cannot be stored at the facility and will be destroyed upon admission.
• Electronics – Cellphones, Laptops, iPad and other electronics are prohibited during residential inpatient and partial hospitalization (PHP) levels of care. Clients who bring these items will have them securely stored by staff. When clients enter Extended Care or graduate primary care, all electronic items will be returned. These items often present a distraction for clients during their treatment. Clients will have regular access to The Plymouth House phones at designated phone times.
• Mp3 Players or iPods with wifi – If your music playing device does not connect to wifi, it is OK to bring
• Weapons, knives or firearms
• E-cigarettes / Vapes
• Pornographic or obscene materials
• Toiletries and beauty products that contain alcohol (mouthwash, perfume, etc.)
• Clothing with profanity or references to drugs, alcohol or violence
• Food or drinks of any kind 
• Candles, incense, or anything else that is fragranced 
• Revealing or inappropriate clothing 
• Unapproved over-the-counter medications 
• Sporting equipment 

If you accidentally pack something that we do not allow, we will return it to you before you are discharged. We understand that the packing process is not always straightforward, and you might accidentally bring something along that is inappropriate for the environment. You won’t get in trouble – we’ll simply hold onto the item for the duration of your stay.

Finally, and Most Importantly 

Remember to bring an attitude of willingness! What you get out of your treatment experience is directly proportional to what you put into it. Bring a positive mindset, open-mindedness and honesty. Come prepared to learn — not just about addiction and recovery, but about yourself. We look forward to meeting you and answering any additional questions you might have.

Other Questions?

Did we miss something? Please feel free to reach out to one of our team of Treatment Advisors who can help answer any additional questions you might have. We are available 24 hours a day, so contact us any time.