Preparing for Alcohol Rehab in Los Angeles
Once you have made the courageous and commendable choice to address your alcohol addiction within an alcohol rehab program, you need to start preparing for the upcoming journey by taking specific steps. Entering into the unknown environment of alcohol rehab can leave many wondering how they can fully engage in their addiction treatment program while having to put their lives on hold while in an inpatient treatment program. At Muse Treatment, we recognize that patients have to consider their employment while they are gone, who will tend to their family and pets and maintain regular bill payments. It is common for individuals to feel stress or concern about how they will manage all of life’s responsibilities while allowing themselves to dedicate this time to the necessary journey of healing from addiction. All of your stress and concerns can be managed if you take the time to effectively prepare for your time within alcohol rehab.
A big question often asked by patients before entering into alcohol addiction treatment is how to navigate informing your employer of your upcoming plans to attend addiction treatment and how much you need to disclose about your upcoming rehab stay. While employers want what is best for their employees and want to see them at their healthiest and happiest, you may not feel comfortable disclosing details surrounding your alcohol addiction. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, you are entitled to up to 12 weeks off for medical leave, allowing you to feel comfortable knowing that your job will be protected while in alcohol rehab.
As you are preparing to attend a residential treatment program, you will want to know that your family is being looked after and will continue to have their needs met while you are gone. Whether you are tending to your children or supporting an elderly parent and in some cases, your pet, planning ahead to ensure there are people in place to help out will ensure that you can go to addiction treatment and feel secure and at peace that your family’s lives will not be disrupted. Before leaving for inpatient alcohol rehab, it is encouraged that you reach out to a friend or loved one that has the capacity and ability to take care of the familial needs while you are gone. Most patients are surprised to see how many of their close friends and loved ones are willing to help when taking positive strides towards living a healthy, sober lifestyle.
Entering into an inpatient alcohol rehab program is a positive experience that supports you in setting yourself up for success in addiction recovery. A great way to ensure that you can return home to a stress-free atmosphere is to set up all your bill payments as automatic payments. This will ensure that you will not fall behind on any bills and can transition home from addiction treatment with ease and minimal stress.
If you have any upcoming or pending legal matters, you will want to ensure you communicate with the court system or lawyer about your upcoming inpatient alcohol rehab stay. Many lawyers will be able to find alternative methods of representing you while you are away if you have court dates coming up during your time in alcohol rehab or will be able to arrange for you to appear via phone or video conferencing from rehab. Either way, having open communication with the justice system about your impending court stay will ensure that you will not incur any further legal trouble.
Lastly, it is essential to take some time with your loved ones before leaving to reestablish your relationship and enjoy their company before you embark on your alcohol rehab journey. Knowing the positive relationships you have and identifying the level of support you will require from them while in alcohol addiction treatment and once you complete alcohol rehab and transition home will help give you the foundation of support and encouragement you need to achieve your overarching goals of sobriety. During this time, it is important to let your loved ones know how much you care about them and how they can contribute to you meeting your desired lifestyle of sobriety. This often can include supporting you by setting up your home environment by removing any potential triggers or alcohol and drug paraphernalia to ensure you can easily transition home without any immediate distractions or temptations.
Traveling for Alcohol Rehab
For some Los Angeles residents, having the opportunity to travel for alcohol rehab provides a sense of relief as you will be removed from your usual environment that has had previous triggers and distractions that have influenced your addictive behavior prior. Being in a new environment and setting often sets the tone for new beginnings and a fresh start towards your life in sobriety.
There may be some concerns about the physical act of traveling and being able to abstain from using alcohol or drugs. Planning to have someone travel with you or create a safety plan before leaving to ensure that you can get to alcohol rehab without getting derailed by airport bars or others engaging in substance abuse. Take the time to ask a loved one to go with you on your travels to rehab to ensure you get there safely and free of excessive alcohol or drug use. For patients concerned about experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, speak with a physician before traveling to create a plan to safely arrive at alcohol or drug rehab without experiencing serious negative withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction can impact everyone including celebrities. See why Collin Farrell needed to go back to rehab in our blog below:
Celebrities in Recovery: Why Colin Farrell Went Back to Rehab When He Hadn’t Started Drinking Again
What Should I Bring To Alcohol Rehab?
When you are packing for alcohol rehab, there are specific parameters that each patient needs to follow that are designed to ensure the overall safety of the addiction treatment center, including patients and staff. There are items that individuals can bring that may resemble outside triggers, such as particular alcohol or drugs logos or photos, triggering messages within clothing or music, and may spark other substitute addictions such as sex or porn addictions if clothing is too revealing. These are things to consider when packing, along with following a packing list similar to this:
Clothing
You should have enough clothing for at least a week. As you are packing, be sure that your clothing is appropriate and is suitable for the weather conditions.
- Pants including jeans, yoga pants, or sweatpants
- Tshirts
- Sweaters
- Shoes- include running shoes for activities, slippers while in the recovery center, and flip flops if weather permits
- Sleepwear
- Sock and undergarments
- Set of clothes for working out or exercising
- Jacket
- Appropriate swimwear
Personal hygiene products
When packing hygiene products, please ensure all items are alcohol-free and non-aerosol. Patients should be prepared with 30 days worth of hygiene products.
- Oral hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and alcohol-free mouthwash
- Deodorant
- Haircare items- brush, shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, and curling iron/straighteners
- Feminine hygiene products
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen if needed and applicable for the time of year you are attending rehab
- Shaving products
- Make-up, should you wish to bring any
- For those Los Angeles residents that smoke, bring your own cigarettes
What Not To Bring To Alcohol Rehab
For the safety and well-being of patients and to respect the individual journeys that others are on, please refrain from bringing the following items:
- Clothing depicting or referencing alcohol or drug use
- Any caffeinated products, including weight gain or weight loss products, energy drinks, and over the counter medications
- Any scented products containing alcohol, including aftershave, perfume, or cologne
- Nail care products such as nail polish, nail glue, or nail polish remover
- Clothing that depicts derogatory or hateful messages, including gang affiliations, racism, or judgments toward others
Important Documents to Bring to Alcohol Rehab
Los Angeles patients are encouraged to bring the following documents and items that will be helpful throughout their time within alcohol rehab:
- Medical Insurance Card
- Photo Identification
- Credit Cards
- Stamps and envelopes to write home to loved ones during your stay
- Notebook or journal to use for your own self-reflection and learning throughout your rehab program
- Books or magazines to help you unwind after each day
Setting Goals For Alcohol Rehab
Before deciding to enter into alcohol rehab, you most likely have thought about your future in addiction recovery and living a life of sober living. As you are preparing to begin your journey to alcohol addiction treatment, it is vital to identify and set goals for yourself within your recovery that you would like to achieve. Having goals established provides a sense of purpose and enhances your motivation to complete your alcohol rehab to reach your desired goals.
Alcohol Rehab at Muse Treatment Center in Los Angeles
At Muse Treatment Center, we offer Los Angeles residents an opportunity to address their alcohol or drug addiction through the various comprehensive approaches to addiction treatment offered within our residential alcohol rehab program. We provide multiple levels of care that will be sure to meet your specific needs and goals for sobriety. You will choose from a residential inpatient alcohol rehab, an intensive outpatient program, or a partial hospitalization program. No matter which option you select, Muse Treatment Center offers Los Angeles residents a multitude of evidence-based therapies that will target their specific needs, including trauma therapy, behavioral therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment options. We aim to provide patients with a whole-person integrated treatment approach that will allow them to heal from their alcohol addiction physically, emotionally, and mentally to set them up for success in their newfound life in sobriety. Call us at (800) 426-1818 to learn more today.
