Can I Receive Letters and Parcels? 

We understand that maintaining a connection with family and loved ones is an important part of your recovery journey, and receiving letters, cards, or parcels from them can be uplifting and encouraging. Additionally, we recognise that, from time to time, you may wish to treat yourself by ordering personal items, such as clothing or other necessities, during your stay.

To ensure that your recovery process is not disrupted and that the safety of all clients is maintained, we have put guidelines in place for receiving mail and parcels at the centre.

Receiving Letters and Cards

You are welcome to receive personal letters and cards from your friends, family, and support network throughout your stay. Letters can be a great source of encouragement, so feel free to let your loved ones know they can send them. However, please ensure that the letters are free of inappropriate content, including references to alcohol, drugs, or any other substances that may be triggering or harmful to your recovery.

All letters and cards will be inspected to ensure they comply with the centre’s policies. This is to protect the integrity of your recovery environment and the well-being of other clients.

Receiving Parcels

If you expect to receive parcels, whether from family, friends, or online retailers, we kindly ask that you notify our office in advance. This allows us to plan accordingly and ensure that all parcels are handled with care and in a timely manner. In your notification, please include details such as the sender’s name, the expected delivery date, and the likely content of the package.

While we encourage you to treat yourself to items that may enhance your comfort during your stay,such as new clothing, books, or personal care products,we must maintain a strict protocol to ensure that no potentially harmful items are brought onto the premises.

For the safety of everyone at the centre, a member of our staff will be present when you open any parcels. We reserve the right to inspect the contents of your parcel to confirm that it does not contain any prohibited or harmful items, such as alcohol, drugs, or unauthorised medications. If any such items are found, they will be confiscated and securely stored until your discharge from the treatment programme.

Prohibited Items

To maintain a drug- and alcohol-free environment, certain items are strictly prohibited and will not be allowed on the premises. These include but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or alcohol-containing products
  Illicit drugs or substances
• Prescription medication not prescribed by the centre’s medical team
• Non-prescription medication (unless approved by the centre in advance)
• Items that promote or reference substance abuse (e.g., books, magazines, clothing, or merchandise)

If prohibited items are found within your parcel, they will be confiscated, and depending on the nature of the item, we may dispose of it or store it securely until your departure.

In some cases, the presence of prohibited items could also lead to a review of your treatment plan, as the introduction of these items could disrupt the progress of your recovery or that of others.

Permissible Items

We encourage you to order or receive items that are aligned with your recovery process and overall well-being, such as:

• Comfortable clothing or footwear
• Books or journals (with appropriate content)
• Hygiene and personal care items (subject to inspection for alcohol-based content)
• Stationery or other materials that support your therapy work (e.g., notebooks for journaling)

Our Commitment to Safety At Ocean Recovery

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all of our clients. We take our responsibility to maintain the safety and integrity of the centre very seriously, and as such, all incoming deliveries are carefully monitored to ensure compliance with our guidelines.

Please note that the centre cannot accept liability for any parcels that are lost, damaged, or delivered in error. While we do our best to facilitate the safe handling of your mail and deliveries, you remain responsible for ensuring the accuracy of your orders and the security of your belongings once they are in your possession.

Delivery Procedures

1. Notify our office of any expected deliveries, providing as much detail as possible (sender’s name, expected delivery date, type of parcel).

2. When your parcel arrives, it will be securely stored until you are available to open it in the presence of a staff member.

3. A staff member will oversee the opening of the parcel, ensuring that the contents are in line with our safety guidelines.

4. Any prohibited or inappropriate items will be confiscated and either stored or disposed of, depending on the nature of the item.

5. Approved items will be handed over to you immediately following the inspection.

We understand that this process may feel restrictive, but it is essential for protecting the safety of the entire community and ensuring that your recovery is not compromised.

Your recovery is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. We encourage you to speak with our staff if you have any concerns or questions about receiving parcels or letters during your stay.

We are here to support you in every aspect of your recovery journey and are committed to making this process as smooth and transparent as possible.