Personal cellphone use is severely restricted when it’s not banned altogether in most drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, according to a roundup of policies by the Toronto Star.

It’s also frowned upon for patients to just wander away from treatment facilities without permission.

The topics of cellphone use and voluntary absences in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres became newsworthy after two incidents.

Rumours swirled on Twitter after a report that Rob Ford was seen at a Tim Hortons in the west end of the city. That prompted his brother, Doug Ford, to tell reporters that he was the man spotted at the coffee shop, not Rob.

And earlier Wednesday, the Toronto Sun published a cellphone interview with Toronto mayor Rob Ford from what he described as “kind of a working rehab.”

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong also told reporters Tuesday afternoon that he had spoken with the mayor on the phone.

The whereabouts of the mayor and his rehab centre remain a mystery since he announced earlier in the week he’s going into rehab. “He said that he was in rehab, he was working out,” said Minnan-Wong.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM:

Rob Ford calls rehab ‘amazing’, promises to return to election: report

Rob Ford “doing good” in rehab, his brother says

Addiction Help Centre advises that most rehab facilities restrict use of personal cellphones, computers or tablets.

That’s the policy at Addiction Canada.

“Clients are not allowed their cellphones while in treatment,” a spokesperson for Addiction Canada said in an email interview.

“If they bring cellphones they are locked up with other possessions at time of intake,” the spokesperson said. “Certain times provision is made to gain access to stored phone numbers on cellphones but only for this purpose and in the company of staff, all calls made by clients must be approved by staff and are from facility phones and are monitored.”

The Addiction Help Centre advises that rehab patients can expect to find their cellphone access dramatically cut.

“In regards to cellphone use, most rehab centres do not ban cellphone use, but they do regulate usage, especially early in the treatment process,” the centre advises.

“Most in-patient rehab facilities provide communication time each week to stay connected with family and other loved ones,” it advises. “People needing to use other electronic devices such as email and the Internet for work may also be allowed to do so.”

“Rehab centres impose cellphone restrictions for a reason: to help recovering addicts focus on recovery,” the centre advises. “Cellphones and other electronic devices can distract patients from recovery, so they are generally banned.”

The Canadian Centre for Addictions says telephone access is allowed, if not cellphones.

“While in treatment you will have access to the phone everyday to call loved ones,” it advises. “Of course we ask that you be time-respectful to other residents when using the phone to ensure all who would like to make calls are given the opportunity.”

At the Sunshine Coast Health Centre on the West Coast, things are a little more relaxed.

The centre has dropped its policy against personal cellphone use.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

“Our policy on cellphones changed dramatically in 2007 when we switched from the disease model to our current meaning-centered model,” the centre states. “From that point forward, clients were to be treated like grown-ups which meant allowing them to have their cellphones. As technology evolved we expanded our policy to allow for the use of smartphones, laptops and tablets.”

“Our new screen policy stresses that screens are meant for communication, not entertainment,” it continues.

Despite the more relaxed atmosphere, the Sunshine Coast Health Centre doesn’t just allow patients to voluntarily wander off.

“Clients are not allowed to walk off property without consent from staff,” Daniel Jordan told the Star in an email. “Usually if a client needs to shop or see a dentist then a staff person drives them. We value the relationship we have with our neighbours so we ask clients to stay within the boundaries of the property.”