What To Bring To Rehab
The full packing list for residential treatment at The Ridge. What to bring, what to leave home, and how phone, laptop, and nicotine policies work.
Contact Us
Our residential addiction treatment services nestle within two tastefully renovated mansions on our private 51-acre estate, just north of Cincinnati.
The Complete Ridge Packing List by Category
Six categories cover everything you’re allowed to bring. Read the toiletries row carefully, the alcohol-free rule catches more people than any other item on this page.
WHAT TO BRING
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Identification and insurance
- A government-issued photo ID. Driver’s license, state ID, military ID, or passport.
- Bring your health insurance card and your prescription card.
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Medications and vitamins
- One month of current prescriptions in properly labeled containers.
- Over-the-counter vitamins are allowed if they arrive unopened.
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Downtime and correspondence
- A watch, writing paper, envelopes, stamps, and limited recreational reading.
- An iPod or tablet is allowed for recreational time only if it cannot access the internet and has no camera.
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Cash in small bills
- No more than $25, in small bills.
- There is nothing on campus you’ll need cash for.
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Toiletries, all alcohol-free
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, soap, and shampoo, all unopened.
- Check every ingredient list: alcohol denat and denatured alcohol both count as alcohol.
- Hair dryer, curling iron, non-aerosol hairspray, razor, hair clippers, and makeup.
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One week of clothing
- Comfortable, seasonal, washable clothing.
- Tennis shoes for recreation
- A bathing suit year-round
- House slippers.
- The Ridge provides towels, pillows, and linens; clients wash their own clothes.
What You Cannot Bring to The Ridge
LEAVE AT HOME
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Cameras and smart devices
- Cameras of any type, smart watches, and fitness trackers.
- A standard watch is fine and encouraged.
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Laptops and internet-connected devices
- Not permitted in standard residential.
- Professionals Program clients are the exception, see the policy below.
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Food and beverages
- Nothing brought in, nothing mailed in. All meals are provided on campus.
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Weapons and tools
- Firearms, knives, weapons, and tools of any kind.
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Scented and alcohol-based products
- Perfume, cologne, and personal wipes.
- Anything containing alcohol in any form.
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Jewelry, DVDs, and explicit material
- Expensive jewelry. Wedding rings are allowed.
- No DVDs or DVD players
- No sexually explicit or pornographic material.
Smoking, Nicotine, and Vaping Rules on Campus
NICOTINE POLICY
What’s allowed and what isn’t
Smoking and chewing tobacco are permitted in designated areas only. Bring a 30 to 45 day unopened supply, since nothing can be delivered or dropped off once you’ve arrived. If you’d rather use your stay to quit, say so at intake — the medical team can support you with nicotine replacement therapy.
- Designated smoking areas only
- 30 to 45 day unopened supply required
- No vaping of any kind
- Nicotine replacement therapy available on request
- Gum and patches supplied by the medical team
Items People Forget to Pack for Rehab
Most people pack the essentials. The team hears about the same overlooked items from clients who’ve already settled in — small things that make daily life easier.
Commonly Overlooked items
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A non-smart watchTo keep track of the day without a phone
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A clear backpackFor carrying materials around campus
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A monthly plannerOr notebook for the daily schedule
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Practical hygiene itemsQ-tips, nail clippers, a basic manicure set
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A written contact listWith names and phone numbers
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Photo IDAnd insurance card
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Important loginsPasswords, and account information written down
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Automatic bill paymentsSet up before arrival
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An MP3 playerFor approved music or audio
Phone and Laptop Policy by Program
Device access depends on which program you enter, and every arrangement is guided by clinical judgment and individual assessment. If you have work obligations that can’t pause, raise them with admissions before arrival rather than after.
Standard Residential
- Personal electronic use is limited during your stay
- No laptops or internet-connected devices permitted
- Access, when appropriate, is structured and clinically guided
- The limit protects focus during early stabilization
Professionals Program
- Structured phone and laptop access may be approved
- Approval covers essential work obligations, not general use
- Treatment still takes priority over the work schedule
- Raise specific obligations with admissions before you arrive
What to Bring to Rehab FAQ
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Can I bring my own pillow or bedding?
You don’t need to. The Ridge provides towels, pillows, and linens for every client. If there’s a specific comfort item from home you’re attached to, mention it to your admissions counselor before you arrive rather than packing it and finding out at intake. Bedding takes up most of a bag and is the item people most often regret bringing. -
Can I bring my phone or laptop?
It depends on your program. In standard residential, personal electronic use is limited and laptops and internet-connected devices aren’t permitted. Clients in the Professionals Program may be approved for structured access to phones and laptops to manage essential work obligations. If you have commitments that can’t pause, raise them with admissions before you arrive. -
Can my family mail me food or snacks?
No. Clients cannot receive food or drinks, whether brought in at admission, dropped off later, or sent by mail. All meals are provided on campus. Letters and gifts are welcome — address them to 25 Whitney Drive, Suite 120, Milford, OH 45150, in care of the client’s name. All mail is screened before it reaches the client. -
How much cash should I bring?
No more than $25, in small bills. Meals, linens, and daily necessities are all provided, so there’s very little on campus to spend money on. Large amounts of cash and expensive jewelry are both restricted — the one exception on jewelry is wedding rings, which are allowed.
