My Family Is Sending Me to Residential Treatment (Rehab), What Should I Bring, and Any Advice?
Question by : My family is sending me to residential treatment (rehab), what should I bring, and any advice?
I am 18, a senior in high school, and live on my own (Father kicked me out). Over the past 3 months, I gradually started to feel symptoms of manic and depressive episodes, followed by lack of sleep, and complete lack of focus. Two weeks ago, all these symptoms spiked severely, blowing out to classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. I can only sleep after three days, I feel all manic one moment, then depressed/suicidal the next. What is worse than that, I relapsed and started drinking, more heavily than when I quit by intervention. An estimate would be a 24 case of beer a day. In the past, I would just drink a lot because I was bored, now I am drinking every hour of the day just to keep calm!
So my friends, with great concerned, contacted my father for me. He was distraught, and decided to get me help. I know this “rehab” sounds boring and awful, but I want and need mental help, so I see it as a great thing. I can also finally get closer with my family again. I just want to get better. It is more of a mental health center, but they also treat addiction.
So what should I bring? Any advice to make the transition go more smoothly? I am staying there for thirty days, or longer, as long as I need to get well. I still cannot sleep, but started following a routine.
Also, tobacco is allowed at this residential treatment center, so yeah… AWESOME!
I thank you very much Loredana!
Best answer:
Answer by Loredana
You already have a HUGE advantage with the one thing you are already taking with you and that’s your positive attitude and the determination to get better! That’s awesome! The right attitude, coupled with the right help from professional people will make the whole experience easier and more successful. You will spend a lot of time doing various activities, some aimed at assessment, others aimed at helping you spend time creatively and calmly and you will also have time to do your own thing. I would take motivational books or any books you enjoy reading, some sort of hobby, definitely a journal of some sort as this is invaluable in helping you to look more closely at your own feelings, etc. Just check whether there are some items you may not be allowed i.e. items that could pose a threat to yourself or others i.e. scissors. These are usually not allowed as a general rule and not purely because of any particular person. Good luck with your determination to live a happy, healthy life. You’re going about it the right way.
Answer by natalie
Well, when I went in years ago, they go through everything and take away harmful items like scissors, razors, etc. and even your medicines. So know this. Comfortable clothes, of course, are important, and anything that is comforting TO and FOR you, say, a favorite photo or pillow or something. If you are on medicine prescribed by a doctor, just have their numbers with you or contact info so the people in the treatment center can contact him/her. Really, all you need is yourself, toiletries, clothing, and like the other person said, a great attitude. And of course they would NEVER take tobacco away. I remember at this one place all the old guys were coming in with SUITCASES full of cigarettes! You can take away the liquor, but leave them their smokes (caffeine for me.) It’s funny what we cling to when some of our “comforts” disappear.
There are many support groups willing and able to assist in many ways
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