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Preparing for Recovery: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind for Your Stay at a Behavioral Health Facility

A picture of a suitcase

Starting addiction treatment is a significant step towards recovery, and it helps to know exactly what to bring and what to leave at home. At ThriveNow Recovery Centers, we prioritize both comfort and safety. This guide will walk you through what items you’re encouraged to bring along to make your stay at our behavioral health facility in Pleasant Hill as smooth as possible, as well as which items are restricted to ensure a safe, substance-free environment for everyone.


What to Bring for Your Treatment

When packing, focus on essentials that will contribute to your comfort and support your journey toward recovery. Here are some items allowed at ThriveNow Recovery Centers:

  1. Personal Identification and Essentials
    • Bring a valid ID (driver’s license, passport) and any necessary insurance cards. Emergency contact information is also essential.
  2. Hygiene Products
    • Sealed, non-alcoholic hygiene items are permitted, including shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Behavioral health services in Iowa maintain strict rules to ensure all hygiene products are safe.
  3. Comfortable Clothing
    • Pack no more than 8 outfits for residential treatment or 4 for detox. We recommend comfortable, modest clothing, including t-shirts without logos, slacks, and weather-appropriate attire. Closed-toed shoes are mandatory, especially in a structured, supportive environment like detox and stabilization services.
  4. Personal Items to Support Recovery
    • Bring items that will support your recovery, like a notebook or journal, a Bible or spiritual text, and reading glasses, if needed.
  5. Limited Nicotine Products
    • While our center encourages a healthy lifestyle, we understand nicotine cessation can be challenging. We allow pre-rolled cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vape devices in limited quantities (up to a 35-day supply).

What Not to Bring to Treatment

For the safety and comfort of everyone at ThriveNow Recovery Centers, certain items are prohibited. These restrictions are in place to ensure a safe, supportive environment for all clients.

  1. Electronic Devices
    • Electronics with internet access, cameras, or recording capabilities, such as cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players, are not permitted. These devices may disrupt the therapeutic environment.
  2. Food, Alcohol, and Drugs
    • Outside food, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit substances are strictly prohibited. Additionally, any prescription medications must be disclosed upon admission for evaluation by our medical team.
  3. Expensive or Sentimental Items
    • Avoid bringing valuables like jewelry or high-end clothing, as the facility cannot be held responsible for lost items.
  4. Sharp Objects or Weapons
    • For everyone’s safety, sharp objects and any items that could be used as weapons are prohibited.
  5. Clothing with Inappropriate Logos or Designs
    • We request that you avoid clothing with logos related to drugs, gangs, or other inappropriate messaging. Tight or revealing clothing is also not allowed.

Preparing for a Safe and Supportive Experience

Packing the right items helps ensure a comfortable experience at our detox and residential treatment programs while allowing our team to focus on delivering quality behavioral health support. If you have any questions about specific items, don’t hesitate to contact us prior to your arrival. We’re here to help you feel as prepared as possible for this important step toward recovery.

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