How to Prepare for Inpatient Rehab in Memphis

It takes a lot of courage to ask for help and admit yourself into a Memphis drug rehab center. Doing so is actually one of the biggest and most important steps you have to take in order to get sober. The next step is to actually go to rehab, participate in therapy, and continue treating your recovery on a daily basis. But first, you have to prepare for inpatient rehab.

There is probably a lot going through your mind before treatment. Not only are you nervous about getting sober, but you’re also probably scared to embark on an unfamiliar journey. Here are some steps you can take to begin preparing for your stay at an inpatient rehab in Memphis.

Make Sure You’ve Packed The Essentials

Before you go to rehab, the treatment center should provide you a list of what to pack. You’ll want to make sure you have all of the essentials, including:

• Weather-appropriate clothing
• A list of your prescriptions and your prescription medications
• A toothbrush
• Self-care products and toiletries
• A small amount of cash
• Your insurance information and ID card(s)

The last thing you want to happen is to arrive at rehab only to find out you’ve forgotten your favorite pajamas, an important prescription, or that self-care product that simply makes you feel like you.

If you’re unsure of what to pack, you can contact the rehab center beforehand to ask for a list of suggested and prohibited items. Have a friend or family member help you go through the list to double-check that you have everything you will need.

Make Arrangements for Children or Pets

If you are a parent, caregiver, or pet-parent, you’ll need to make arrangements for these things to be taken care of. A spouse, friend, or family member may be able to take care of your kids or pets while you are in rehab. You could also set your pet up at an overnight boarding place or look for a pet-friendly treatment center.

If you absolutely have no way to care for your children or pets during inpatient rehab, you may consider going to outpatient. Outpatient treatment lets you live at home while going to rehab during the day. However, keep in mind outpatient is less intensive and can be less successful in treating severe addictions. If you need medical care or are at a high risk of relapse, inpatient is a better choice.

Take Care of Any Legal, Financial, or Occupational Matters

One thing that many people worry about when going to rehab is keeping their job. Fortunately, under the Family and Medical Leave Act, you are legally entitled to up to 12 weeks of medical leave. While you may not get paid for this entire time, your job should at least be protected. And, under HIPAA, you do not have to tell them you are going to addiction treatment.

Another responsibility you should take care of to prepare for rehab is your finances. If possible, make sure your bills are set up on automatic payments. If you are going to need help paying your bills, ask for assistance from a trusted friend or family member. You definitely don’t want to leave rehab just to come home to a mountain of debt or unpaid bills.

Lastly, if you are in the midst of a legal battle, you need to be sure to let the appropriate person know. This may be the courts, a parole or probation officer, or a legal team. In most cases, you will need to provide proof of your enrollment in a treatment program.

Come Prepared to Stay in Contact With Your Loved Ones

Most drug and alcohol rehabs in Memphis will confiscate your cell phone upon intake. This is to keep distractions to a minimum and prevent you from contacting unapproved people. However, just because you don’t have your phone doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with your loved ones.

Another thing you can do to prepare for rehab is to bring a list of names, phone numbers, and addresses of people whom you may want to contact. The treatment center will have allotted times where you can use their phone to contact family members. You can also bring a writing utensil, paper, envelopes, and stamps to write letters to loved ones.

Keep in mind, any communication you have may be supervised and any envelopes you receive may be opened beforehand to ensure the safety of you and your peers.

Prepare for Inpatient Rehab in Memphis Today

If you’ve already chosen a rehab center near you, you are well on your way towards a better life. Now, it’s time to prepare for your stay at a Memphis rehab. By being prepared, you can ensure that you get the most out of treatment and that you are successful in staying sober after rehab.

If you or a loved one are looking for a rehab center or are interested in learning more about the addiction treatment process, give us a call today.