What to Bring to a Sober Living Home: The Complete Move-In Checklist

Moving into a sober living home is a significant step in recovery. Whether you're coming straight from residential treatment or transitioning from your own living situation, packing can feel both exciting and uncertain. What do you really need? What will be provided? What should you leave behind?

This guide covers everything — from the basics you'll use every day to the documents that protect you legally and medically, to the mindset that matters most for your success.

What's Typically Provided at a Quality Sober Living Home

Before you pack a single bag, know what you won't need to bring. At Ocean Breeze Recovery Housing in West Palm Beach, the following is included with your weekly rate:

• Furnished room with bed, dresser, and closet space
• All utilities — electricity, water, air conditioning
• WiFi internet
• Household supplies — cleaning products, paper goods, shared kitchen basics
• Workout equipment on-site

This means you're packing for yourself, not setting up a household. Your bags are for your personal life.

Clothing

Pack enough for 7–10 days of daily life, plus work attire if you're employed or plan to be quickly:

• Everyday clothes (shorts, t-shirts, jeans): 5–7 outfits
• Work-appropriate clothing: 3–5 outfits
• Underwear and socks: at least 7–10 pairs each
• Pajamas or sleep clothes
• Athletic wear for working out
• One nicer outfit for interviews or important appointments
• Shoes: everyday pair, work shoes, athletic shoes, flip flops for shared bathrooms

Florida-specific note: West Palm Beach is warm year-round. Heavy winter clothing is rarely necessary, but pack a light jacket for indoor AC.

Personal Care

Bring a full set of personal hygiene products. Even if the home provides basics, having your own promotes comfort and routine:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash or bar soap
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Razor and shaving supplies
• Comb, brush, and any hair products you use
• Nail clippers
• Sunscreen — South Florida sun is serious

Medications

This is one of the most important categories. If you take prescription medications:

• Bring a 30–90 day supply if possible
• Keep medications in their original pharmacy-labeled bottles
• Carry a written list of all medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
• Notify the house manager immediately upon move-in — quality sober living homes have a clear protocol for medication management
• If you're on MAT (medication-assisted treatment) such as Suboxone or Vivitrol, communicate this upfront; reputable homes support MAT

Never pack medications not prescribed to you or that you don't have a current prescription for.

Important Documents

These are easy to forget and hard to replace. Pack originals or high-quality copies in a waterproof folder:

• Photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security card
• Health insurance card
• Birth certificate
• Any court documents, probation paperwork, or legal requirements
• Treatment discharge paperwork
• Relevant medical records
• Vehicle title and insurance if you have a car

Money and Financial Basics

• Cash or debit card for first-week expenses
• First week's rent and move-in fee — at Ocean Breeze, that's $275 rent plus $210 move-in fee ($485 total to move in)
• Banking information if you need to set up direct deposit for a new job

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Laptop or tablet (helpful for job searching)
• Earbuds or headphones — important for living respectfully with others
• Power strip (check with the house manager about shared outlets)

Sleep Comfort Items

A new environment can disrupt sleep, especially early in recovery when sleep is already fragile:

• A pillow you're comfortable with
• Small blanket or throw
• Eye mask if you're a light sleeper

Recovery Essentials

These items directly support your sobriety:

• Big Book or literature from your program (AA, NA, SMART Recovery, etc.)
• Journal and pens — writing consistently supports recovery
• Contact list: sponsor, sober supports, counselor, family
• Printed or bookmarked meeting schedule — look up local AA/NA meetings in West Palm Beach before you arrive

Kitchen Basics

Most sober living homes have shared kitchens. Bring some non-perishable food for your first few days, a labeled container for your fridge space, and any personal cookware the home doesn't provide. Ask your manager what's available before packing a full set.

What NOT to Bring

Equally important is knowing what to leave behind:

• **Alcohol or drugs** — zero tolerance, immediate discharge
• **Prescription medications not prescribed to you**
• **Weapons** of any kind
• **Excessive valuables** — expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, irreplaceable items
• **Candles or open-flame items** — typically prohibited for fire safety
• **Too much stuff** — you're in a shared space; overpacking strains communal living for everyone

A good rule of thumb: if you'd be uncomfortable if the house manager saw it, don't bring it.

Preparing Your Mindset

A checklist prepares your suitcase. What actually prepares you is different.

Before you arrive, get honest about where you are in your recovery. You don't need to have everything figured out — you just need to be willing. Sober living works best for people who genuinely want to stay sober, are open to following house rules even when it's inconvenient, and are ready to be part of a community.

The items in your bag matter far less than the attitude you carry with them.

Your First 48 Hours

When you arrive at Ocean Breeze Recovery Housing, you'll meet manager Kevin Smith, review the house rules, and get settled into your furnished room. Ask questions. Meet your housemates. Unpack before your first night — having a space that feels like yours speeds up the adjustment period.

Your first goal isn't perfection. It's just getting through day one, and then day two.

If you have questions about what to bring or what's already provided, call Ocean Breeze at (561) 646-7097. Kevin can walk you through exactly what to expect on move-in day.