When preparing to move into a sober living home in Los Angeles, it can be hard to figure out what to bring. If you are entering sober living from an inpatient program, you are most likely already accustomed to packing light. Preparing to move into a sober home will be similar to packing for an inpatient.
Before considering what to bring with you to sober living, it is important to understand what is expected of you. When you arrive at sober living, it is expected that you will respect the other residents. This means doing assigned chores, cleaning up after yourself, and participating in house activities and meetings. As well, since sober living homes are about community and support, you must make sure you are committed to both your own sobriety and the sobriety of other residents. If you are not willing to support residents in their recovery, sober living may not be for you.
What to bring
When packing for sober living it can be hard to decide what to bring and what not to bring. The following are general suggestions, so you should be sure to reach out to your sober living home to get more specific guidelines on what to bring.
Clothing
When packing clothing, it is important to consider both the weather and the setting. If the house you are moving into has access to a pool and it is summer, it may be smart to bring a bathing suit. If it is winter and there is snow, it would be wise to pack a jacket and snow gear. Clothing will be the bulk of your packing, however, it is not necessary to bring an excessive amount of clothes as there will be laundry services available.
Essentials
It is important to remember items that you need for your daily activities. These items may include:
- Cash
- Credit/debit card
- Cellphone
- Laptop
- Notebook or journal
- Bedding (may be provided by the sober living)
- Towels (may be provided by the sober living)
- Books
Hygiene
It is essential to remember to bring your own hygiene/toiletry products. Items to remember are:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Brush or comb
- Shaving cream
- Razor
- Sunscreen
- Lotion
- Feminine hygiene products
- Deodorant
- Makeup
Other items you may consider bringing to sober living with you are:
- Plastic hangers
- Laundry hamper
- Non-alcoholic food and drinks
What not to bring
Along with finding out what you can bring, it is also important to find out what is not allowed in the sober living home you are entering. Typically, the following items are not allowed in sober homes:
- Personal furniture (chairs, tables, TVs, etc)
- Pots and pans
- Pets (depends on the sober living facility)
- Wall-hanging decor
- Firearms or weapons of any kind
- Products containing alcohol
- Drugs or alcohol of any sort (this includes unauthorized medications)
- Diet pills or anything that would encourage unhealthy behavior
If you are considering moving into a sober living house, Design for Recovery – Sober Living East may be the place for you. Design for Recovery – Sober Living East is a top-rated sober living home in Los Angeles that offers its residents one-on-one mentoring, weekly house gatherings, employment support, mone0y management, family outreach, and a foundation based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Design for Recovery provides you with a safe environment to ease yourself back into regular life while still having some structure to help you develop skills to stay sober long-term. Design for Recovery – Sober Living East also offers its residents opportunities for leisure activities, community support, and employment.