Everything you need before you arrive
Arriving for treatment is a brave step, and it should feel calm, not confusing. Download a branded packing list, an example day schedule, and a welcome packet with photos of The Runway.
- Where
- Santa Ana, Orange County - near John Wayne Airport
- What we offer
- Medical detox, residential treatment & aftercare planning
- Insurance
- In network with Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, MHN & TRICARE
- Next step
- Call our confidential admissions team - no pressure
Branded PDFs, ready to print
No account needed. Each file is designed to be printed or saved to your phone.
Packing checklist
A printable, tick-as-you-go list of exactly what to bring, and what to leave at home.
Example day schedule
A sample daily rhythm so the days ahead feel familiar before you ever arrive.
Welcome packet (with photos)
A full introduction to The Runway, our rooms, care, and community, in one branded PDF.
The six things that really matter
Pilots never skip the pre-flight checklist. Tick off the essentials below and watch your boarding readiness climb. Everything else, we can help with once you land.
Boarding readiness
Pack light. Laundry is on site. Forget something? We'll help you sort it once you land. No stress, no judgment.
Claim belt 1 · What to bring
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- Comfortable clothes
- 7 days of essentials
- Current medications
- Pharmacy list
- Phone + charger
- Journal
- Contact numbers
A look at the packing list
Laundry is on site, so pack light. If you forget anything, we will help when you arrive.
Clothing for about a week
Laundry is available on site, so you do not need to pack for the entire stay.
- 5-7 comfortable, casual outfits
- Pajamas and a warm layer or sweatshirt
- Closed-toe shoes plus sandals or slippers
- Workout clothes and supportive sneakers
- Undergarments and socks
- A swimsuit (optional, for warm days)
- A light jacket for cool Orange County evenings
Toiletries (alcohol-free)
Personal items must be non-alcohol-based. Travel-size containers keep intake screening quick. Larger containers may be searched like a TSA checkpoint. We can supply anything you forget.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
- Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash (3.4 oz / 100 mL or smaller)
- Travel-size deodorant and unscented lotion
- Hairbrush or comb and any hair ties
- Razor and travel-size shaving cream (alcohol-free)
- Feminine hygiene products as needed
Health & medication
- All current medications in their original, labeled bottles
- A written list of medications and dosages
- Insurance card and a photo ID
- Glasses, contacts, and solution if you wear them
- Any medical devices you rely on (CPAP, etc.)
Comfort & connection
- A few photos of people who matter to you
- A journal and a pen
- A book or two for downtime
- Music on a device with no internet access
- A small amount of cash for vending or outings
- Phone numbers written down in case devices are stored
Please leave these at home
- Alcohol, drugs, or any non-prescribed substances
- Products containing alcohol (mouthwash, perfume, some sanitizers)
- Weapons of any kind
- Revealing or drug-related clothing
- Expensive jewelry or valuables
- Outside food or drinks on arrival
Gentle structure, personalized to you
The days build slowly as you find your footing. Here is an example of how one might flow.
Wake & morning care
Gentle wake-up, medications as needed, and time to get ready at your own pace.
Breakfast
A warm, chef-prepared breakfast in our homelike dining room with the community.
Morning grounding
A short mindfulness or intention-setting session to start the day steady.
Individual or group therapy
Evidence-based work with your clinician, or process group with peers in recovery.
Skills & education
Relapse prevention, coping skills, and understanding addiction as a medical condition.
Lunch & rest
A nourishing meal followed by free time to decompress or connect with others.
Specialized track
Trauma-informed care, veteran or professional track work, or dual-diagnosis support.
Holistic & movement
Yoga, fitness, art, or time outdoors in the garden to reconnect with your body.
Dinner
A relaxed family-style dinner, one of the warmest parts of the day.
Evening meeting
A peer support meeting or community gathering to close the day together.
Wind-down & reflection
Journaling, a call home if scheduled, quiet time, and rest.
A real look at where you will heal
The welcome packet includes photos and a warm introduction to every part of life at The Runway.
A place that feels like home
You will rest in a comfortable private room with a real queen bed, not a clinical ward. Warm communal spaces give you room to connect, reflect, and simply breathe.
- Homelike private rooms with queen beds
- Chef-prepared, nourishing meals
- Quiet communal spaces and outdoor garden
Expert, compassionate care
Our medical and clinical teams provide safe detox and evidence-based treatment. Care is trauma-informed and tailored to you, including specialized tracks for veterans and working professionals.
- Physician-led medical detox
- Individual and group therapy
- Dual-diagnosis and trauma-informed care
A community that gets it
Recovery happens alongside people who understand. Peer support, holistic activities, and a structured but gentle daily rhythm help you rebuild trust in yourself and others.
- Peer support and process groups
- Holistic care: yoga, movement, art
- Aftercare planning from day one
Have a question we did not cover? Our admissions team is one call away.
Packing, schedule & what to bring
Quick answers to the questions families ask most before arriving. Still unsure? Call our confidential admissions team anytime.
What should I pack for residential treatment?
Pack about a week of comfortable, casual clothing, alcohol-free toiletries in travel-size containers, all current medications in their original labeled bottles, your insurance card and photo ID, and a few comforting items like photos, a journal, and a book. Laundry is available on site, so you do not need to pack for the entire stay. If you forget anything, we will help you get it.
What should I leave at home?
Please leave behind alcohol, drugs, and any non-prescribed substances, products that contain alcohol such as mouthwash and some hand sanitizers, weapons of any kind, revealing or drug-related clothing, expensive jewelry or valuables, and outside food or drinks. Our team confirms the full list with you before you arrive.
What is the phone and communication policy?
Phones and devices are stored safely during clinical programming so you can fully focus on recovery. Scheduled calls home are built into the week, and our team explains the full device policy before you arrive. We recommend writing down important phone numbers and bringing music on a device with no internet access.
Can I bring my medications?
Yes. Bring all current medications in their original, labeled bottles along with a written list of medications and dosages. Our medical team reviews everything at intake and coordinates with your providers as needed.
Why do toiletries need to be travel-size?
Travel-size containers keep intake screening quick and simple, similar to a TSA checkpoint. Larger containers may be searched, and any product containing alcohol will be held or sent home. Alcohol-free basics are available on site if you forget something.
What does a typical day look like at The Runway?
A typical day blends gentle structure with rest: a morning grounding session, individual and group therapy, skills and education, a specialized track such as trauma-informed or veteran care, holistic activities like yoga and movement, chef-prepared meals, and an evening peer support meeting. The schedule builds slowly and is personalized to where you are in recovery.
How much free time will I have each day?
Each day includes built-in rest and downtime, including time after meals to decompress, connect with peers, or simply relax. Recovery is hard work, so the schedule is designed to be supportive rather than overwhelming, with quiet evenings for reflection, journaling, and scheduled calls home.
Can I download a packing list and schedule before I arrive?
Yes. You can download a free, branded packing checklist, an example day schedule, and a full welcome packet with photos directly from this page. No account is needed, and each file is formatted to print cleanly on both US Letter and A4 paper.
Ready to take the next step?
Our admissions team is here to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and walk you through what comes next. No pressure, no judgment.
A confidential admissions team member will help you understand your options. No pressure, no judgment. Call 866-969-3686.
