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Suggestions on what to send someone in rehab.....

8K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  MntMom 
#1 · (Edited)
Some of you may remember a thread I started about a friend of ours who freaked me out by calling me up, and I lost contact with her on the phone, and we called rescue on her. Anyway, she is an alcoholic who has to been to rehab in our area 2 or 3 times (unsuccessful). She called me yesterday and said her family did an intervention, and she is going to Narconon in Oklahoma for a long time, maybe 2 or 3 months.. She left this morning. She asked me to write her....says that I am about her only friend.
I'm trying to think of some cute/funny things to send her on occasion, but am not sure what might be allowed. She has a great sense of humor and loves dogs, so I was thinking of sending her this leg-humping stuffed Chihuahua I saw at the mall, some funny cards, and maybe some Bath and Body items. I really hope rehab works for her this time, I know it will be incredibly hard, and she is going to miss her kids terribly.....so she needs some funny, cheerful things. Any other ideas would be great....thanks!
 
#3 ·
You should definitely check with the rehab about any prohibited items. Any product that contains alcohol (mouthwash, body spray, etc.) will probably be confiscated. What about a couple of funny books? Dave Sedaris is always good for a laugh. Another possibility is the book "Smashed: Story Of A Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas. It's an autobiographical account of the author's alcoholism & recovery starting from the age of 14 to the time of publication. It is written in a very dry, witty manner. Perhaps it could lend her some encouragement reading about somebody who was in the same boat? I think the most important thing for her is knowing that she has people that love her & care about her. Find some humorous blank cards to write letters on & be sure to write her often! I'll keep her in my thoughts & I hope she gets the help she needs. :)
 
#4 ·
If you have a history with her, maybe a book of photos related to good times (people, places, objects..) and little notes of memories so she has something to look forward to? Or a daily calendar, where you add your own words of encouragement for each new day.

I also recommend one of my fav books, Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. It's about a woman who finds herself forced into rehab by her worried friends and family. It's chick lit and there are a lot of humourous parts, but overall it's really uplifting as you follow her growing self-awareness.
On second thought, maybe save that for after she completes her program. The different emotions are evident as the main character goes through her recovery, and it might be a bit too raw, or simplified, for someone going through the same thing.

Good luck to her! It's good that she feels she can count on you for support, because feeling alone while struggling to get back on your feet makes it that much more difficult.
 
#5 ·
Wow, all great suggestions! She didn't have the mailing address available when she called to tell me she was going, so she is going to send it to me, or have her DH do so. Once I get, it, I'll give them a call to find out about prohibited items. Thanks everyone.
 
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