Addiction is a disease characterized by compulsively using drugs even though this brings about negative consequences. Even though an addicts life degenerates into a chaotic cycle of destruction being admitted to a drug rehab facility can be intimidating. Perhaps the fear of the unknown is responsible for this, or perhaps the addict fears having to stop using drugs. Whatever the reason it is worth briefly discussing the process of being admitted to a drug rehab facility so that these fears can be appropriately managed.

The drug rehab admissions process should be a comforting and supportive experience. The staff who receive you into the drug rehab center are there to ensure your safety and help you to feel comfortable. They will ask a few questions to ascertain your needs and how best to accommodate you. These questions will also provide the treatment team with a start towards developing your addiction treatment program.

A drug rehab facility needs to be kept safe for all of its residents. This means that most drug rehab centers in South Africa have lists of what items may not be brought onto their property. These lists vary slightly but this is a fairly representative list of what you should not bring to a drug treatment center:

* Drugs and alcohol
* Cellphones, pagers, and other communication devices
* Laptop computers and PDA's
* CD players, televisions, and radios (including headphones)
* Food and beverages
* Mouthwash, aftershave, and other toiletries containing alcohol
* Clothing that is provocative or displays too much skin
* Pornography
* Weapons of any sort

It is usually acceptable for you to bring the following items to a drug rehab center in South Africa:

* Passports, insurance cards, air tickets (will usually be locked in the safe for you)
* Comfortable clothing
* Telephone vouchers
* Books (recovery orientated)
* Reading glasses

It is common practice for an addiction treatment facility to request to search your bags prior to admission to the drug rehab center. This will be done by a member of staff in your presence. If the facility requests you to surrender items to them they will issue you with a receipt and return them to you when you leave.

It is always a good idea to phone ahead of arrival and determine what the individual rules of the facility are. Also enquire whether safekeeping facilities are available before bringing jewelry and large amounts of cash to the drug rehab facility.