Rehab Visitation: Can You Visit Someone in Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

If you or someone you love is preparing to enter medical detox, an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab program, or are curious about outpatient addiction treatment programs, you’re likely wondering if you can have visitors in rehab. Drug and alcohol rehab is hard work, and support can be an important part of helping a loved one in their recovery.¹ Sometimes, visiting a loved one in rehab can help them continue to work toward their sobriety.

Here, we’ll explore the answers to many questions about visitation in rehab, including:

• Does rehab allow visitors?
• What are typical rehab visiting hours?
• Can you bring children, pets, and friends to visit someone in rehab?
• What are the benefits of visiting a friend or family member in rehab?
• What should you expect when you visit a loved one in rehab?
• Other than visitation, what are some ways to keep in touch with a loved one in rehab?

Researching this information—and talking with your loved one who is considering entering addiction treatment about visitation policies at local facilities—can show how much you care and can help your loved one feel more comfortable moving forward with the treatment process.

Can You Visit Someone in Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Yes, most rehab facilities allow visitation. Rules can vary depending on the facility, patient needs, and levels of treatment. Some facilities offer visitation on certain days of the week or during certain hours. Others offer family and friends weekends, while some have less structured visitation policies.

Some facilities do not offer visitation at the beginning of treatment but begin to allow visitation as patients make progress and develop coping strategies that support their sobriety. Family therapy sessions are also an option at some facilities.

Rehab Visitation Rules

Rules around rehab visitation are designed to ensure that visitors are a positive addition to the recovery process—not a trigger that could set the patient back into a pattern of self-destructive behaviors.

Rehab visitation rules vary, but some common guidelines are typical in most facilities, including:

• No visits during detox due to active withdrawal symptoms.
• No visits from people who are currently using drugs and/or alcohol.
• Visitors must be 12 years of age or older (younger children may be able to visit parents).
• Patients must approve visitors (visitors who may disrupt the patient’s recovery process may not be permitted).
• Visitation must occur in designated areas.
• Visits must be scheduled in advance.
• Visitors are expected to avoid arguments and provide positive support for the recovery process.

Can Children Visit You in Rehab?

Often, children can visit their loved ones in rehab, sometimes as a part of the family therapy process. Children may not be able to visit their parents when doing so could harm the child’s psychological health. In healthy, controlled situations, rehab visits can help children understand their parent’s addiction and recovery while allowing them to be a part of the process.

Can You Bring a Pet to Visit Someone in Rehab?

Sometimes, pet visitation in rehab is permitted. Whether patients can have a visit with their pet in rehab depends on the rules of the facility and individual needs. The benefits of animal interaction are widely recognized in addiction research, and in many cases, spending time with a beloved pet can offer therapeutic benefits.²

Benefits of Visiting a Loved One in Rehab

Often, addiction is related to family dynamics. Participating in therapy and providing your loved one with support as they move through treatment can help them gain and maintain sobriety.³ With the patient’s permission, visitors may be able to provide input into their recovery treatment plan, while also attending support meetings that inform the ways you can help your loved one stay sober after they’re finished with inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Patients in recovery sometimes feel guilty for the pain they’ve caused friends and family members. Visiting your loved one in rehab can help to repair the relationship and provide them with peace of mind that they’ll be supported when they return from treatment.

What to Expect When Visiting Someone in Rehab

Visiting a loved one in rehab can be a rewarding experience for both you and your loved one. Before the visit, check the facility’s website to learn about the rules for visitors. You’ll likely need to schedule your visit ahead of time and follow certain guidelines.

When you arrive at the facility, you’ll need to check in at the front desk. You’ll then be directed to a meeting space, where your loved one may already be waiting for you. It’s important to prepare yourself emotionally for the wide range of states your loved one may be experiencing as they work through treatment. Your loved one may experience and express guilt, gratitude, anger, happiness, or a mixture of emotions.

Offering encouragement and support, staying away from tough topics, and actively listening to your loved one can help to create a successful visit. It’s important to respect your loved one’s boundaries if there are topics they’d like to avoid.

You may not be able to visit with your loved one privately, depending on their specific circumstances. The facility may require that a counselor or therapist is present with your loved one to ensure that their recovery is not compromised during visitation.

More Ways to Keep in Touch with Someone in Rehab

There are many ways to keep in touch with your loved one while they’re in rehab. Some facilities allow cell phones in rehab. Others may permit patients to use the facility phone, send letters, etc. In some cases, staying away from communication with people outside of the facility may be detrimental to the patient, as phone and/or internet use may bring up triggers and distractions that take away from recovery—social media use has been shown to exacerbate mental health issues.⁴

If you’re unsure of how to support your loved one throughout their rehab process, talk to the facility directly. If visitation is not allowed, writing letters or sending small gifts may be a bright spot in your loved one’s day as they work to overcome addiction.

Start the Recovery Journey

If you’re ready to begin the recovery process, our team is here to help. At American Addiction Centers (AAC), we believe in your ability to get and stay sober. We understand that you likely have questions about what the rehab process will entail, and we’ll be here with you every step of the way.

We’re excited to get to know you and support you as you begin treatment. Feel free to take your time browsing our rehab directory to find a facility near you, or reach out to us today at to verify your insurance and learn more about how you can get started today.