More and more in recent times, it has become apparent that there is an ever increasing problem within the architectural community of addiction. Addiction amongst architects is an issue that has been gaining more and more attention recently, and it is an issue which needs to be discussed more openly and honestly if we are to get to the bottom of it and help those who are suffering.

Addiction is an issue that can affect anyone, and is not exclusive to architects. However, what has been found is that architects as a profession have been especially prone to addiction in comparison to other professions and industries. This may have to do with the huge pressures of the profession, such as competing with other firms and continuously updating technology. With the stresses that the profession includes, it is easy to see how the unhealthy coping methods of substance abuse may present themselves.

As is the case with any addiction, the earlier that it is addressed, the better. For this reason, it is important that the architect community has access to information and support that it needs to tackle this problem. The first step for any architect who is struggling with addiction should be to reach out for help, be it from a trusted friend or a professional.

It is important to remember that addictions come in many forms and can range from drug and alcohol abuse, to more readily available addictions such as exercise addiction, gaming addiction, and of course, digital addiction. Digital addiction has become increasingly present in the profession due to the vast reliance on technology that is involved in the day-to-day job of an architect, which can make it difficult to take a break and take care of themselves.

Another factor which can lead to addiction amongst architects is creative burn-out. As the creative sector of the profession is undoubtedly the most important part of an architect’s job, it is absolutely vital that burn-out is managed carefully and that architects make sure to take regular breaks from their work to keep their minds refreshed and healthy. Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to burn-out, which can lead an architect to poor mental health, addiction, and even depression.

Given the diverse and sometimes hectic nature of the job, it is extremely important that architects take good care of themselves. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, adequate hydration, sleep and nutrition are all extremely important in mitigating the issue of addiction.

As with any issue related to mental and physical health, it is important that those who are suffering seek professional help if they feel like they can’t cope. There are numerous organisations, both online and offline, which provide support and information to those who are struggling. It is also wise to remember that a problem shared is a problem halved, and being open and honest about the issue is an invaluable first step in tackling the problem of addiction.

Addiction is an issue that will always present itself as a challenge to any profession or industry, but as architects, it is important that we come together and tackle this in a proactive way. As well as seeking help where appropriate, it is essential that architectural firms and firms alike provide preventative care for their employees to ensure that those struggling with addiction can be provided with the support and resources that they may need.

One of the best ways for architects to live an addiction-free life is to step up their lifestyle. In this post, architects will learn some healthy ways to improve their lifestyles.

Eat a nutritious diet

Take a combination of all the classes of foods ranging from carbs to proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, etc. Fruits and vegetables should always be an essential addition to every diet.

If you are used to taking snacks, it is advisable to cut down on these high-fat and sugary foods and replace them with veggies.

Additionally, taking enough water should be an essential part of your diet. Many nutritionists recommend that adults take between 2-4L of water each day.

Be physically active

Due to the nature of their profession, architects are always sedentary. The only time they take breaks is when they want to sleep, eat or just do something casually.

For architects to get active, they can do some home workouts or visit the gym. A good rule of thumb is to spend 3-4 days per week, undergoing physical exercise for 30 minutes- 1hour on those days.

Check your blood pressure

Many professionals don’t pay attention to their blood pressure, they are unaware that hypertension which is also known as high blood pressure, is a silent killer.

Architects face a lot of stress and checkups should not be something to ignore. They need to have their blood pressure checked regularly because this would help them know if they are on the right track health-wise.

Sleep regularly

Another way to prevent addiction is by getting enough sleep.

Even though a busy schedule seems inevitable, it is important to create enough time for rest. This would put your body in great shape and improve your performance and productivity over time.

It is vital to mention that the health tips mentioned in this piece come with benefits for physical and mental health. Any architect who applies these tips to their lives might never have to contend with addiction all through their career journey.

Architects are talented professionals who use their skills to create designs that are aesthetically pleasing, durable, functional, and safe.

Many architects do not pay attention to their health because of the high demands that come with their jobs. This is why many of them do not have long careers.

Architects mostly experience a state of unfulfillment when their mental health is not in great shape. This forces many of them to resort to means like substance addiction to get themselves back on track.

When an architect is addicted, it begins to feel like one of their best decisions so far.

Their addictive state of mind seems to make them productive. However, this feeling doesn’t last because they discover that their addictive habits are not sufficient to keep them going.

Many of them will begin to look for more ways to step up their addiction.

One of the ways to know when an architect is addicted is if they are always forgetful. Most times, they do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

When they are sober, they might not remember most of what they did under the influence of these substances.

Another sign that you will notice when an architect is addicted is their inability to meet up with deadlines.

An addicted architect will struggle to keep their agreement with clients because their major focus is on their addiction. In the long run, they will begin to lose clients and they might stop getting referrals because of their increased lack of professionalism.

You might even notice a change in their overall appearance. When you abuse drugs and alcohol for a long time, it begins to reflect in your physical appearance.

There might be symptoms like excessive weight gain/weight loss, lack of personal grooming, bloodshot eyes, constant itching, slurred speech, etc.

If you know an addicted architect, it is important to assist them in seeking help. Convince them lovingly to see an addiction treatment therapist so that they can get their lives on track.

A good number of architects do not pay much attention to their mental health and this is why some of them end their careers abruptly. There is this feeling of emptiness that they experience because the state of their mental health is on a low ebb.

Architects live a stress-filled life and this is one of the major reasons why they have mental health problems. Some of them also end up addicted if care is not taken.

The architecture profession is for people whose brain has been wired to be technically-inclined over time. So, there is a greater tendency for them to have mental health problems.

One of the best ways for architects to help themselves, is to reduce the workload that causes the stress. It is okay not to accept every contract and allow yourself some days of rest. This would ensure that your body undergoes revitalization that would set you back on track.

There are days when there would be creativity block and one of the reasons for this is because, the architect did not rest properly.

When some architects have creativity block, some of them make the mistake of trying to push it further and they end up performing woefully. In another scenario, others will take substances that would temporarily help them.

Architects need to go for mental health treatment, because this is one of the best ways to treat them. Considering their tight schedule, they would most likely be taken in for outpatient treatment where they can attend at their convenience.

It is important for architects to make their mental health a priority because there is a whole lot that they can achieve with a stable mental health. If the mental health of an architect is not stable, there is a likely chance that they would not be able to practice their profession for long.

To wrap it up, it is important that architects give themselves ample time to rest, and probably go on a vacation when they have a little breathing space.

Architects are individuals who have a very technical brain and the reason why they are successful is because of the truckload of work that they put into their profession.

Architects command a lot of respect and people do not know what they encounter before they reached the summit of their careers.

Architecture is a very stressful career that it not for the faint-hearted. Right from college days, they spend several months on end mastering the act of drawing and mapping out plans for various structures.

In addition, they are also saddled with the responsibility of learning things outside their field.

Someone who does not put his physical and mental health into consideration would most likely be addicted as an architect. The reason for this is, they would handle stress the wrong way, and this is one of the fastest ways to get addicted.

Architects who do not know how to handle stress are likely to indulge in addiction, and in this case, it is substance addiction and not behavioral addiction. Only a few number of the addicted architects would be addicted to certain behaviors and activities.

Architects who have the tendency to be addicted are those who do not take care of their health. They get back stressed from work and the next thing they do is to indulge in abusing substances like drugs and alcohol.

The effects which come with this are usually short-lived and they would always crave for more. Owing to the technical layout of their brains, addiction has a profound hold on architects than those who do not have technical-inclined careers.

Addiction greatly affects the physical and mental health of an individual. The internal organs of the body are at risk, and how possible is it for an unhealthy body to work? No chance!

Architects who are addicted need all the help they can get because if care is not taken, they would not be able to practice their career for as long as they want.

On the average scale, architects are individuals who are known to be successful people, and their career is one which is usually envied by people. Being an architect commands a great deal of respect. However, people are not aware of what they go through before reaching the peak of their careers. There is a stress which comes with the architecture profession which has the capacity to drown an architect in the world of addiction.

Now, for a person who is not prepared for this kind of stress-filled life, he or she could easily get caught up in the web of addiction. For an architect to receive the needed respect, there is a standard which they need to attain and keep up with. There are demands and premiums which are placed on them, and they have to perform up to expectation.

One of such typical cases would be, the design of several building concepts which have to be of optimum quality, which must satisfy the client. If they are fortunate enough, there would be no need to make much corrections. However, there are some clients who are too demanding, and the architect might have to spend weeks on end making the necessary conditions.

Keeping up with this lifestyle is not easy on them, and hence, each architect would certainly seek ways on how to ensure that they have a healthy lifestyle, alongside leading their stress-filled career. With this, some of them have become either drugs or alcohol addicts. The reason for this is not far-fetched. Most of them feel it is the best way to keep up with this lifestyle, and deal with the stress effectively.

An addicted architect needs help; else his health is at a risk of being on a low ebb. Being the professionals who they are, an architect would not want to try out a conventional addiction treatment centre. Hence, it is advised that they try out the executive option. What makes it better is, there are some executive addiction centres which are specifically meant for architects.

These centres would assist the architect in understanding their minds, bodies, and also proffering productive ways on how they can effectively cope with the stress associated with their career.

First and foremost, even though the architecture field has a low substance abuse rate “alcohol is the substance these design professionals are most likely to be dependent upon”. In turn, this can pose as dangerous to not only the individual, but others that he/she comes into contact with while in that of his/her work environment. For, addiction takes place in the workplace more often times then not, but those who struggle with such can be good at hiding it. But even so—despite the “7.9% abuse rate in architects in 2010/2011”—the numbers have most likely altered through the passing of time.

Therefore, addiction isn’t something that can always be seen by the eye, but just as with any career architects can very easily be impaired, but not come across as so. Not only that, but an injury that takes place at work—and/or maybe at home—can cause a drastic change to the work ethic of an architect. For, he/she might not be as focused on his/her work, and begin to drink in response to the injury, especially if it disallows him/her to continue with work—and forces him/her to take time off.

Time off may even allow stress in the life of him/her as he/she has to accommodate to life at home. This can even cause one’s addiction to worsen—especially if he/she is already struggling with such—because he/she is forced into a corner where he/she is unable to engage in his/her normal work routine. Depression can begin to settle in response to such, and even more so for those who enjoy what they do, but who are unable to fully engage themselves like they would like to—due to injury. This can pose as difficult for anyone if much of his/her life revolves around work, and he/she is drastically taken out of his/her environment. Not only that, but he/she might use alcohol—and/or drugs—to dull the pain of a workplace injury if it is one of great severity, and that causes a significant amount of discomfort.

In conclusion, one mustn’t think that since a particular field has a low rate of substance abuse/dependency that individuals working in that particular profession are in the clear. The fact of the matter is no one is safe from the pitfall of addiction, as it is something that anyone can endure no matter his/her age, or field of work.

Unfortunately, due to the world in which we live in, architecture is often times overlooked as a form of healing for addicts. For, a majority of the time, when one thinks of recovery for those struggling with substance abuse, his/her mind automatically draws to options such as rehab.

However, in doing so, a number of people frequently miss the treatment that lies in the simplest of things—such as the elements that surround them in that of a constructed building. In turn, there are a number of principles listed—and/or important aspects—that architects must take into account when constructing a place of recovery for addicts, but one of the most important is evidence based design.

Evidence based design—which is also known as EBD—is defined as “the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes”. It is through this process that architects are able to better assess, judge, and plan before acting/engaging in the design itself.

Not only that, but evidence based design has become prominent in healthcare design because most hospitals aim to construct ‘healing setting’ for their patients. In turn, they must know what they are building—and how they are going to go about building it—to better fit the patients’ needs. For, there are certain aspects which can help better promote the healing—and/or recovery—such as the color, shape, place, size, etc. As a result, evidence based design allows architects to determine what is needed, for what is being built, by looking at past research, and basing their decisions off such.

Consequently, many patient rooms—in our modern day world—still lack the color and natural sunlight that they need to promote a healthy well-being in that of the individual. In fact, research shows “the influence of well designed environments on positive patient health outcomes, and poor design on negative effects including longer hospital stays”.

In conclusion, evidence based design allows architects to not only build in a way that serves as more efficient, but to also construct with not just the project in mind, but the person/patient. Such a process allows them to do such, without going head first into a project blind eyed—and unaware—as to the way in which it should be built. As a result, recovery can be constructed for future patients of a in-treatment rehabilitation facility—allowing them to regain their health more quickly—by simply being uplifted/healed through aspects such as; window lighting, the color of the room/walls, and so on.

Architecture is defined by google as, “the art of practice of designing and constructing buildings.” However, what many fail to recognize is the difference that such an art can make in the lives of those who struggle with addiction—as it helps them to reconstruct/rebuild that of their own lives. As a result, there are a number of factors that should be taken into account when looking at architecture as a therapy, but three—of some of the most important—are; 1. Health Benefits, 2. Intended Purpose, and 3. Color Therapy.

First and foremost are the health benefits that come through architecture when done properly. For, elements of nature that are implemented into the construction of a particular space can have a big impact on one individual—and/or a set group of individuals. Some examples of this can be seen through skylights, greenhouses, courtyards, windows, and other installments. It is through such that struggling addicts are able to have a natural source of light—rather than artificial—which allows for a much more healthy/enjoyable environment. Not only that, but sunlight helps stimulate good mental health in a number of ways by reducing anxiety and stress, and nourishing one’s psyche.

Second is the intended purpose, which is an extremely important principle, especially in terms of the architecture of what is being constructed. For example, a rehab center is going to be built a little more differently than a school, the same goes for a library and a grocery store. In turn, one must plan accordingly, and have a visual of the outcome, before he/she even begins the project. It is through such that addicts who reside in such can begin to find their purpose in a building that has purpose—and/or that was constructed with their best interest in mind.

Third is color therapy which is defined as, “a system of alternative medicine based on the use of color, especially projected light color”. In turn, it is believed by some that color can promote good health—and is said that by “using healing colors for a room or clothing, you can significantly change the patient’s mood and bring about many mind, body benefits”. For example, red is a warm color which is said to “induce vitality and stimulate energy”.

In conclusion, architecture can be used as a therapy to help the well being of addicts more often than one might think. For sometimes it’s the way that a particular place—or space—is constructed that makes all the difference. It is through such that the color scheme and intended purpose of a particular place can make all the difference in the health/well-being of those struggling with addiction.

Oftentimes—in the midst of a fast paced society—we witness a wide array of architecture day-by-day. Yet even so, we still fail to stop—and take in—all that surrounds a particular location, such as; 1. the space, 2. the place, and 3. the design. For, it is through these three factors that addicts can either be affected for better, or for worse. However, such things are oftentimes overlooked by the outside world—but can make a significant impact in the lives of those struggling with addiction, and who are on the road to recovery.

First and foremost is space, which can go a long way in contributing to one’s happiness—if it’s crafted in the right way. As a matter of fact it doesn’t matter whether the space itself is in the form of a house, apartment, office building, etc.—but rather how it has been structured. For instance, if an individual is confined to an environment that is both restricted and gloomy, that very same atmosphere may reflect within his/her mood/behavior. The same thing takes place if one finds himself/herself in a room with no windows, and/or a room with little to no color.

Second is place, which can bring about a plethora of problems if one is not careful in choosing a setting which benefits the resident’s—and/or residents’—health. For, there are a number of locales that struggling addicts can chose to reside in for reasons that may have very little to do with the place itself, but rather the scenery/view that surrounds it. In turn, place is a factor of great importance—and must serve as a safe haven—whether it be for one individual or many.

Third is design. For, it is through such that addicts can witness beauty during a difficult time in their lives where there may seem to be none. Not only that, but the design—and layout—of a particular building allows them the opportunity to branch out, and discover a new place, without even having to leave home. In turn, those who struggle with addiction don’t have to travel to take part in new places, but can instead explore the architecture which surrounds them.

In conclusion, architecture plays a bigger role—than one might think—in the healing of addicts. For, it is through space, place, and design that they can find comfort in the midst of their recovery. Not only that, but they can begin to find hope again—while residing in a place which contributes to their health, rather than making them feel isolated.