Most detox facilities provide a short packing list when you call to arrange admission, but the basics are consistent across programs: comfortable clothing for about a week, alcohol-free toiletries in non-glass containers, a small amount of cash, and a few personal comfort items. Knowing what’s restricted matters just as much as knowing what to pack, because facilities will confiscate items that don’t meet their guidelines at intake.
Clothing for 5 to 7 Days
Pack enough casual, comfortable clothing for roughly a week. Most facilities have laundry access, so you don’t need to bring your entire wardrobe. Think loose-fitting pants or sweatpants, t-shirts, a hoodie or light jacket, underwear, socks, and pajamas. Detox can involve sweating, chills, and general physical discomfort, so prioritize soft fabrics you can layer.
Bring a pair of closed-toe shoes for walking and a pair of shower sandals or flip-flops. Some facilities require closed-toe shoes outside of your room. Leave anything with drawstrings or belts at home, as many programs restrict these during the detox phase. Elastic-waist pants and slip-on shoes are the safest bet.
Toiletries: What’s Allowed and What Isn’t
You can bring your own hygiene products, but they need to meet three rules at nearly every facility: no alcohol in the ingredients, no aerosol cans, and no glass containers. That means stick deodorant instead of spray, pump hairspray instead of aerosol, and plastic bottles only. All toiletries should be factory-sealed and clearly labeled. If a container has been opened or the label is missing, staff may not allow it.
A basic toiletry kit includes toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, a comb or brush, and lotion. If you use mouthwash, choose an alcohol-free version. Women may want to pack hair ties, a razor (though some facilities provide disposable ones and restrict personal razors), and menstrual products. Contact lens supplies, glasses, and prescription medications in their original pharmacy bottles are typically fine, though medications will be held and administered by medical staff.
Cash, ID, and Insurance Information
Bring a government-issued photo ID and your insurance card. If you’re on any prescription medications, having a list of current prescriptions with dosages speeds up the intake process considerably.
A small amount of cash, roughly $50 to $100 in smaller bills, covers vending machines, small store runs, or other minor purchases during your stay. Leave credit cards, large amounts of cash, and valuables at home. If you wear a wedding ring or a simple watch and consider it essential, that’s generally fine. Expensive jewelry, designer accessories, and anything you’d worry about losing should stay behind. Facilities are not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.
Electronics and Phone Access
This is where policies vary the most. Many detox programs collect cell phones and laptops at intake, especially during the first several days. Some facilities allow limited phone access after you hit certain milestones in treatment, while others restrict phone use for the entire stay. A few programs, particularly those designed for working professionals, permit supervised access to email or messaging for work-related communication.
Before you arrive, call the facility and ask specifically: Can I bring my phone? When and how often can I call family? Is there a facility phone available? Most programs do offer scheduled times for calls to family members, even if personal devices are locked away. Knowing the policy ahead of time lets you set expectations with the people in your life and avoid frustration on day one.
Comfort Items That Help
Detox is physically and emotionally rough, and a few personal items can make the experience more bearable. A journal and pens are welcome at most facilities and genuinely useful during the process. Writing helps some people work through cravings, track how they’re feeling day to day, or simply pass the time. Soft-cover books, magazines, and puzzle books are allowed in most programs. Hardcover books may be restricted at some facilities, so paperbacks are the safer choice.
A few family photos can help with motivation and homesickness. Bring printed copies rather than relying on your phone, since you may not have access to it. A small blanket or pillow from home is sometimes permitted and can make a clinical room feel slightly more personal. A spiritual or religious text, a recovery-related book, or a meditation guide are all commonly allowed.
What to Leave at Home
Facilities restrict items for safety, not to be inconvenient. The following are almost universally prohibited:
- Weapons or sharp objects of any kind, including scissors and nail clippers with blades
- Over-the-counter medications that you haven’t cleared with the facility in advance
- Any product containing alcohol, including perfume, cologne, vanilla extract, and certain hand sanitizers
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Pornographic or violent material
- Drawstrings, belts, and long cords, including phone charger cables in some programs
Staff will search your belongings at intake. Anything that violates facility policy gets confiscated or sent home with whoever dropped you off. This isn’t punitive. Detox units operate with strict safety protocols because patients are medically vulnerable during withdrawal.
Practical Tips for Packing
Use a soft duffel bag or backpack rather than a hard-sided suitcase. Some facilities limit the size of bags you can bring, and a soft bag is easier to search during intake. Pack light. You’ll have limited storage space, usually a small closet or a few dresser drawers shared with a roommate.
Put your insurance card, ID, medication list, and any admission paperwork in an easily accessible spot, not buried at the bottom of your bag. You’ll need these immediately. If you have a facility contact number, save it in your phone and also write it on paper in case your phone is collected before you’ve memorized it.
Call the specific facility a day or two before arrival and confirm their packing guidelines. Policies differ enough between programs that a quick five-minute phone call can save you from showing up with a bag full of restricted items and nothing you actually need.