Can You Receive Mail or Packages During Detox?

Get approval for the specific item before sending mail or packages to someone in detox. Confirm acceptance, addressing, screening, and what happens if the delivery cannot reach the recipient. Do not treat a carrier’s delivery confirmation as confirmation that the contents have been approved or handed over.

Before buying or shipping

Tell admissions exactly what you want to send, including the quantity and whether the packaging is sealed or opened. Ask separately about letters, parcels, retailer deliveries, and personal drop-offs rather than assuming one answer covers them all.

Request the restricted-item list. For a care package, check each item—including food, liquids, toiletries, electronics, or valuables—rather than asking only whether “care packages” are allowed. Leave out anything that has not been approved.

Review the facility information for context, then obtain item-specific delivery instructions directly.

Get the receiving instructions

Ask for written instructions covering:

• Address: The receiving address, recipient name format, any attention line, and sender return details. If you are using the detox information for West Palm Beach residents, confirm the delivery destination rather than using the area served as the address.
• Screening: Whether envelopes or packages are opened or inspected, who handles that process, and how unapproved contents are handled.
• Timing: Accepted delivery days or hours, any processing time, and when approved items can reach the recipient.
• Follow-up: Whom to contact if tracking shows delivery but receipt remains uncertain.

For medication, ask the clinical team first

Do not arrange a medication shipment based only on permission to receive packages. Ask the clinical team whether to send the prescription, over-the-counter medicine, or supplement and what source, labeling, packaging, and receipt arrangements to use. If the person needs a refill, raise that separately rather than relying on a parcel to resolve it.

Plan for refused or late deliveries

Before shipping, ask whether an unaccepted item would be refused, held, returned, or require collection. Clarify who receives notice, who pays any return costs, and what happens after discharge. Do not assume forwarding or return service is available.

Call Summer House Detox Center at (800) 719-1090 and ask: “May I send this item, how should I address it, what screening applies, and what happens if it cannot be accepted or arrives after discharge?”