What to Bring to Residential Treatment

The most important rule: ask your specific program first

Every residential treatment facility has its own packing policy. What one program allows, another prohibits. The lists on this page reflect common practices across most programs, but your program’s specific packing list, which they will provide when you confirm your admission date, overrides everything here.

If your facility has not sent a packing list by the time you are two days from admission, call the admissions line and ask for one. Do not guess on items that might be confiscated at intake. Arriving with prohibited items creates an unnecessary complication on an already stressful day.

What to bring

The items below are permitted at most residential programs. Confirm each category with your facility.

Documents and ID

Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, military ID, or passport)
TRICARE insurance card
Written medication list: name, dosage, frequency, and prescribing provider
Emergency contact information written on paper
Health insurance secondary card if applicable

Clothing

Enough for 7 to 10 days (laundry access is usually available)
Comfortable, casual clothing appropriate for group settings
Closed-toe shoes and shower sandals
Light jacket or hoodie (facility temperatures vary)
Modest sleepwear
Underwear and socks for the stay

Toiletries

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Shampoo and conditioner (alcohol-free formulas preferred)
Body wash or soap
Deodorant (non-aerosol preferred)
Razor (check if disposable is required)
Feminine hygiene products if needed
Sunscreen and lip balm

Personal and comfort items

A small number of family photos
A journal or notebook and pens
Books (check content restrictions with the facility)
Glasses or contact lenses and solution
Hearing aids or other medically necessary devices
Alarm clock (non-phone, if phones are restricted)

What to leave at home

These items are prohibited at most residential facilities. Attempting to bring them typically results in them being held at intake or returned to a family member.

Always leave home

Valuables: jewelry, expensive watches, or irreplaceable items
Large amounts of cash (ask about the facility’s cash limit)
Alcohol or any substance in any form
Prescription medications in unlabeled or mixed containers
Sharp objects beyond a basic safety razor
Weapons of any kind
Sexually explicit material

Check with your facility

Phones and laptops (many programs restrict or prohibit)
Aerosol products (some programs restrict due to misuse risk)
Mouthwash containing alcohol (prohibited at most programs)
Supplements or vitamins (must be cleared by medical staff)
Food and snacks (usually not permitted; meals are provided)
Over-the-counter medications (must be cleared and dispensed by staff)

What most facilities provide

You do not need to pack everything. Most residential programs provide the following as part of your stay:

Bedding, pillows, and towels
Three meals a day and snacks
Laundry facilities
Basic personal hygiene supplies (soap, shampoo, toothpaste) as a backup
Access to a facility phone for approved calls
Group therapy materials and worksheets
Transportation to approved off-site activities in some programs

Amenities vary widely between programs. A clinically focused state-licensed program and a higher-end private residential program will provide different levels of comfort and programming. Neither is automatically better. What matters is the clinical quality of treatment, not the quality of the mattress.

Medications: the right way to handle them

Do not arrive at treatment with medications in unmarked containers, mixed together in a single bag, or without a written list. This creates confusion at intake and can delay the start of your medical assessment.

The correct approach is to bring a clearly written list of every prescription you currently take, including the medication name, dose, frequency, and the name of the prescribing provider. Bring the medications themselves in their original labeled pharmacy containers if possible.

At intake, all medications are typically collected by nursing staff, inventoried, and assessed by the medical team. Some will be continued as prescribed; others may be adjusted or replaced based on your clinical needs in treatment. This is a clinical decision made by the facility’s medical staff, not something to negotiate at the door.

Over-the-counter medications require approval too

Do not assume that over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, antihistamines, or sleep aids are permitted. All medications, including OTC products, are typically managed by nursing staff during a residential stay. Bring them in their original packaging and declare them at intake. The medical team will determine whether they are continued.

Notes for active-duty service members

If you are active duty and entering treatment, a few practical considerations apply beyond the standard packing list.

Military ID

Your Common Access Card (CAC) or military ID is your primary photo ID and insurance verification. Bring it. Some facilities also accept a driver’s license as backup ID. Confirm what is acceptable with your admissions coordinator.

Leave paperwork

If you are entering treatment on approved leave, bring a copy of your leave authorization. This helps clarify your status with the facility and TRICARE if any administrative questions arise during your stay.

Chain of command awareness

If you have coordinated your treatment entry with your command, bring any documentation that was provided regarding your treatment authorization or leave status. If you have self-referred without notifying your command, review the guide on self-referral versus command notification before you arrive so you understand your rights and obligations under federal confidentiality law.

Contact limitations

Many programs restrict phone access during the early phase of treatment. If you have family obligations or duty-related matters that require contact during this period, address them before you arrive and let your family know what the communication plan will be. The facility can provide guidance on their specific contact policies.

Preparing the people at home

Before you leave for treatment, take care of these practical matters so you can focus entirely on treatment once you arrive.

Let a trusted person know you are going and how to reach the facility in a genuine emergency
Handle any time-sensitive financial or household obligations before you leave
Arrange care for any dependents or pets for the duration of your stay
If you have prescription refills due during your stay, address them before admission: the facility’s medical team will manage your medications once you are admitted
If you want family to participate in family therapy or visiting days, give them the facility’s contact information and ask the admissions coordinator about the family program schedule

Questions about packing for treatment

Can I bring my phone to residential treatment?

Policies vary. Many programs restrict phone access during the initial phase of treatment. Some prohibit phones entirely; others allow limited use at designated times. Ask the admissions coordinator about the specific policy before you arrive, and plan accordingly. Most programs have a facility phone available for essential calls.

What happens to my medications when I arrive?

Most facilities collect all medications at intake for inventory and medical review. Bring a written list of all current prescriptions with medication name, dosage, and prescribing provider. Some medications will be continued as prescribed; others may be adjusted based on the clinical assessment at admission.

How much cash should I bring?

Bring minimal cash. Many facilities limit the amount patients can keep on hand. Ask the admissions coordinator about the policy. A small amount (twenty to forty dollars) for incidentals is usually sufficient. Most basic needs are covered by the program.

What do most facilities provide?

Most residential programs provide bedding and towels, three meals a day, laundry access, and basic toiletry supplies as backup. The level of amenities varies by program. Ask the admissions coordinator for a specific list of what is and is not provided before you pack.

Can I bring books or personal items?

Most programs allow books and a small number of personal comfort items, such as family photos and a journal. There may be content restrictions on reading material. Ask the facility for their specific personal items policy when you confirm your admission date.

. Packing policies vary by facility. Always confirm your specific program’s requirements directly with the admissions team before your arrival date. This page provides general guidance only and is not medical advice.