What to Bring to Rehab

We believe our clients deserve a level of personal autonomy while in treatment at First Step Center. In order to ensure a secure and serene environment, we have developed a list of suggested items of what to bring to rehab as well as those that will be restricted.

What to Bring to Rehab at First Step Center

Items that may be used under supervision or with the assistance of a medical practitioner:

• Tobacco, Cigarettes (First Step Center provides safe-lite lighters)
• Items with long electrical cords
• Hair Dryers, curling irons, flat irons (Check-out/Check-in policy)
• Sewing/knitting needles, hooks and craft supplies (during approved times)

Suggested Items to Bring:

• A copy of your Advance Directives (if applicable)
• A list of family phone numbers and addresses you might need
• A list of practitioner phone numbers and addresses you might need
• Phone cards with minutes to call out (if applicable)
• Stamps, stationery, envelopes
• Personal journal or notebook (one is provided upon arrival)

What to Bring to Rehab — Toiletries

• Non-chargeable, battery-powered electric razors
• Beard or mustache groomer
• Shaving soother (non-alcoholic)
• Toothbrush and paste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Facial-hair cream
• A minimum of seven days of clothing (consider the seasonal temperatures of arrival)
• Socks
• Undergarments
• Sleepwear
• Jeans
• Shirts (long and short sleeve)
• Sneakers
• House slippers – non-skid are provided upon arrival (to be used with thin socks)
• Exercise clothing and shoes (modest coverings)
• Hiking boots and socks with hat or ball cap
• Sunglasses
• Hemmed shorts
• Swim trunks
• Sweatpants with elastic waistbands and sweatshirts (no drawstrings)
• Reading material (no pornography)
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Photographs to place on personal bulletin board near your bed
• $50-100 cash
• Credit or Debit card for off campus events (if applicable)
• Laptop, iPad, cellphone (all kept in secure setting to be used as scheduled with treatment team approval)

First Step Center Restricted Items

• Any items containing alcohol such as body sprays, lotions, shampoo, mouthwash, or hand sanitizer
• Any non-approved glass, metal, or ceramic objects such as cologne bottles or mirrors
• Picture frames and figurines
• Any loose powder or body powder
• All sharp objects (metal, wire or hard plastic) such as multi-use tools, scissors, knives, hair picks, barrettes, hair clips/bobby pins, razors, hangers, letter openers, nail files, pipe cleaners, or ornamental pins.
• All personal items considered of value including but not limited to jewelry that can be removed including rings, watches, necklaces and body piercings.
• Any electronic items with cords or chargers including: CD players, cell phones, iPod,
• iPad, radios, tapes, CD’s/DVD’s, cameras, Smart Watches
• Any aerosols or hair sprays
• E-cigarettes and vaping equipment
• Chew tobacco, pipes, cigars, matches, or lighters
• Any food or drink not provided by First Step Center
• Tank tops, wife-beater shirts, t-shirts, ill-fitting clothing for body size
• Clothing or reading materials promoting violence, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, pornography, gangs/groups/associations, logos, insignia, or artists as determined by the
• Clinical Director or designee as not appropriate for the treatment setting
• Stuffed animals, personal pillows, blankets or bedding items
• Sharpies, permanent markers, or white-out
• Alcohol
• Federally determined illegal drugs
• Weapons, firearms
• Plastic bags, bags with zippers, or drawstrings
• Q-tips
• Rope or twine
• Flip flops or open toed shoes
• Bathing suites determined revealing such as Speedos
• Purses or other bags

Medication Information for What to Bring to Rehab

• All medications, supplements or over the counter products are subject to approval by a
• First Step Center medical provider, registered dietitian and/or other member of treatment team.
• All over-the-counter medications and supplements must be in their original sealed containers.
• Medications must be prescribed by your medical provider
• First Step Center medical providers will evaluate all medications brought to the center.
• All medications must be in their original container with the prescription label attached—no exceptions.
• Medications not labeled, and/or with a potential for abuse or dependency, will be destroyed.
• If you have a new or rare (costly) medication, bring your full supply.
• You may be asked to surrender any controlled medications not used per the attending physician’s orders; these medications may be destroyed.

If there is some item on this list or missing from this list in any category of which you have a question, please ask the admissions staff for clarification about what to bring to rehab.

Any restricted items brought to First Step Center will be handled by any of the following:

• Sent home with whomever comes with you on the day of admission
• Stored in your luggage in a secure holding room of which you will not have access during your stay
• Destroyed

*Please be aware that there may be some items which are not on this list that the staff will disallow. This list is subject to change or expansion without notice at the discretion of the treatment team.

If you have further questions about what to bring to rehab, then call us today at 866-832-6398 for more information. We look forward to assisting you on your journey to recovery with our drug rehab program.