How to Prepare for Addiction Treatment

The first step of recovery is admitting that there is a problem and that you need help to solve it. If you are reading this, then it is likely that you or a loved one has made this realization, which is a major milestone.

However, once your focus is shifted towards addiction treatment, you may start to worry about your preparation. It may feel like there are too many things that have to be done before you can begging your journey to recovery.

We’re here to tell you that preparing for addiction recovery does not have to be difficult. After all, stress simply comes from uncertainty. So let’s bring out a checklist, start ticking, and get certain about rehab.

Career, Family and Education: Getting Your Obligations in Order

Walking Away From your Work

Walking Away From your Work

Perhaps the most difficult choice you will have to make before entering treatment is putting a hold on your career or your work. For many, their work is their only source of livelihood. Thus, it is naturally a very stressful thing to walk away from, even temporarily.

However, it is important to remember that firstly, you have rights that protect your employment status and your well-being in relation to your employment. For instance, you are guaranteed up to 12 weeks of medical leave without termination from your job. Secondly, it is in your and your employer’s best interest that you get the help you need and deserve. So don’t delay in making arrangements with your workplace for your treatment.

Walking Away From your Work

Perhaps the most difficult choice you will have to make before entering treatment is putting a hold on your career or your work. For many, their work is their only source of livelihood. Thus, it is naturally a very stressful thing to walk away from, even temporarily.

However, it is important to remember that firstly, you have rights that protect your employment status and your well-being in relation to your employment. For instance, you are guaranteed up to 12 weeks of medical leave without termination from your job. Secondly, it is in your and your employer’s best interest that you get the help you need and deserve. So don’t delay in making arrangements with your workplace for your treatment.

Walking Away From your Work

Making Family Arrangements

If you are responsible for the well-being of your partner, another family member, or if you have children, then you must secure proper care for them while you are away for treatment. A trusted family member or close friend who is willing to provide their help can be the perfect candidate for this task.

Not only is securing proper care for your family members essential for their well-being, but it is also essential for your own well-being too. If you are constantly worried about your family during your treatment, you will be too distracted and your progress will be greatly delayed. Therefore, it’s imperative that appropriate family arrangements are made promptly before you begin treatment.

Making Family Arrangements

Making Family Arrangements

If you are responsible for the well-being of your partner, another family member, or if you have children, then you must secure proper care for them while you are away for treatment. A trusted family member or close friend who is willing to provide their help can be the perfect candidate for this task.

Not only is securing proper care for your family members essential for their well-being, but it is also essential for your own well-being too. If you are constantly worried about your family during your treatment, you will be too distracted and your progress will be greatly delayed. Therefore, it’s imperative that appropriate family arrangements are made promptly before you begin treatment.

Making Family Arrangements
Putting a Hold on your Education

Putting a Hold on your Education

If you are in an educational program or getting your degree, you will need to plan for educational shifts ahead of time. Depending on the length of your treatment, you will need to organize a solution that allows you to take a step away from your education.

For short-length treatments, try to get ahead of your work at school if it’s possible. Otherwise, contacting your professors and your school’s administration is what you should do in order to seek make-up exams and assignments.

However, if treatment is going to last a long time, so long that you will be unable to catch up on your missed work in a semester, you should consider putting your education on hold. 

While it may be difficult to prolong your education, it is certainly the right decision. Addiction surely has negative impacts on your productivity and academic performance. Therefore, successfully completing treatment will allow you to perform much better academically and will be much better for you in the long term.

Putting a Hold on your Education

If you are in an educational program or getting your degree, you will need to plan for educational shifts ahead of time. Depending on the length of your treatment, you will need to organize a solution that allows you to take a step away from your education.

For short-length treatments, try to get ahead of your work at school if it’s possible. Otherwise, contacting your professors and your school’s administration is what you should do in order to seek make-up exams and assignments.

However, if treatment is going to last a long time, so long that you will be unable to catch up on your missed work in a semester, you should consider putting your education on hold. 

While it may be difficult to prolong your education, it is certainly the right decision. Addiction surely has negative impacts on your productivity and academic performance. Therefore, successfully completing treatment will allow you to perform much better academically and will be much better for you in the long term.

Putting a Hold on your Education

What to Bring to Treatment

Clothing and Shoes

Clothing and Shoes

Dress for comfort while keeping URP’s dress code in mind. Appropriate and Inappropriate clothing is discussed below on this page. When it comes to tops, consider bringing some t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts. For bottoms, shorts and jeans are recommended. As for footwear, bring at least 1 pair of sneakers and 1 pair of flip-flops alongside your daily shoes. Lastly, consider grabbing some athletic clothing that you can wear while exercising.

Swimming Gear

Swimming Gear

We highly urge our clients to bring their swimming gear along so that they can enjoy our in-facility pools. It’s a good idea to bring a pair of sunglasses too. Additionally, keep in mind that one-piece bathing suits are preferred for women.

Toiletries

Toiletries

We recommend that clients bring all the toiletries they need, including but not limited to, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hair brushes, and so on.  However, products that contain alcohol are strictly prohibited. This includes hand sanitizer, certain brands of mouthwash, fragrances, and any other product that contain alcohol.

Personal Means of Entertainment

Personal Means of Entertainment

At the United Recovery Project, we want our clients to enjoy their downtime responsibly. Guests are permitted to bring and use certain devices throughout their stay so long as those devices don’t have a camera or access to the internet.

iPads, for instance, are a good example of a device that is NOT permitted. However, older generations of iPods, MP3 or CD players are all fine to bring alongside appropriate CDs and DVDs. Radios are allowed too so long as they are small.

Books are another fantastic form of entertainment that you may bring to relax with during your downtime. Use your best judgment when considering what books are appropriate to bring. 

Insurance and Medication

Insurance and Medication

Please bring either the original or a copy of your insurance or prescription card(s) if you have them.

If you are on any medications, please bring them with you. These medications will be considered during your assessment.

Spending Money

Spending Money

You may occasionally need cash for grocery runs or to use vending machines. As such, clients are encouraged to bring some spending cash with them. Money is held by our administration and handed out to clients upon request.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Please bring a list of contact information for certain individuals (close friends, family, or healthcare professionals) you wish to maintain contact with and have involved in your treatment. Include their names and phone numbers.

Your counselor will help you access this list during your treatment and will be there with you should you need to contact somebody.

What You Should Leave Behind

Cell Phones and Laptops

Cell Phones and Laptops

Typically, devices with a connection to the internet, a camera, or those that allow you to contact others are not permitted at our residential treatment facilities. This includes cell phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

Consider Leaving Valuables Behind

Consider Leaving Valuables Behind

While bringing certain valuables such as jewelry, accessories, or items of sentimental value is not prohibited, the United Recovery Project cannot and does not accept responsibility for these items. We recommend that these valuables be left safely at home or in the care of a trusted individual.

URP can’t store or protect any valuables brought by clients and thus they will be the responsibility of the clients.

Dressing for Success: URP’s Dress Code for Establishing Respect and Professionalism

At the United Recovery Project, we believe that attire sends a strong message about attitude. As such, we have designed our dress code to promote respect, professionalism, discipline, and dignity. Our clientele and staff attires should never be a source of disruption to treatment.

The only purpose of the dress code is to promote success during treatment and it is not intended to be punitive whatsoever.

Graphic Shirts

Clients should avoid clothing with printed graphics. Any clothing with inappropriate or offensive images, statements, or themes is not permitted. For instance, clothing that advertises drugs or violence is prohibited.

Size and Fit of Clothing

Clothes should be appropriately sized, meaning, you should avoid oversized baggy and undersized tight clothing. 

Furthermore, shorts should not be overly short. As a rule of thumb, shorts must reach either past a finger length from one’s hips or past the mid-thigh, whichever is longer.

Modesty

See-through clothing, especially if it makes undergarments visible, is not permitted. Furthermore, sleepwear, such as pajamas, is not to be worn outside of the bedroom.

In general, clothing should always be covering the area from the shoulders to the waist.

 

Indoor Clothing

When indoors, clients are not permitted to wear headgear such as hats, sunglasses or other headwear. On a similar note, clients are not permitted to wear hoodies over their heads while indoors.

Footwear

Footwear must always be worn. When clients are partaking in physical exercise, they must wear a pair of sneakers. Clients are not permitted to participate in physical exercise with flip-flops or barefoot. The only exceptions to this rule are when clients are playing volleyball, yoga, or while in pool areas. 

Pool Area Exceptions

All clients and staff members are to wear shirts and footwear unless in the pool area, in which case, clients may take off shirts and footwear.