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.

Architects can have very full, rewarding lives. Architecture is a dignified career that garners a great deal of respect. It can, however, be a stressful career that can easily overwhelm a person who is not properly prepared for it. The expectations of and demands on professional architects are exceptionally high. The building concepts they create have to be of the best quality in order to satisfy the expectations of their clients and to protect the safety of the people who use the structure. When careers in architecture become difficult or the personal lives of architects become strained, it can lead to addiction and substance abuse. When a professional architect is struggling with severe addiction, they need to submit to treatment for the sake of their personal and professional lives. Professional architects should be aware that addiction rehabilitation programs exist for creative professionals like themselves.

At an addiction treatment center, or a residential rehab, professional architects will go through a detoxification process, considering that it is a substance they are addicted to. Those addicted to a process do not require a detox. Detoxification includes medications that help flush toxins from the system, as well as reduce the stress and danger of withdrawal symptoms. It is highly recommended that people do not go through a detox alone because symptoms can arise that require medical attention. Instead, seek the services of a detox center or rehabilitation center.

After the detox period, the professional architect will receive psychological treatment that will eradicate the root cause of their addiction. If the architect chooses a treatment program that caters to business and creative professionals, they will work with staff and counselors who are familiar with the demands of these professions. They will assist their recovery enormously because the people doing the treatment will understand the workings of their minds. After this period of psychological coaching, counseling, therapeutic activities and healthy recreation, the individual will be prepared to re-enter the world, and will receive ongoing support to succeed.

Architects are well respected professionals who create the facilities that facilitate a wide variety of human endeavors. Their work is very important to the way that humanity functions. However, architects are people with very unique minds that can be taken in by addiction or substance abuse when their life circumstances push them toward it. Work stress is one common reason that architects experiment with addictive substances and activities. Another reason is merely due to an architects experimental nature. Almost every architect has an experimental side because they have a creative side, and the two largely go hand in hand. The substances and activities that architects are most frequently addicted to are:

• Alcohol. This commonly abused substance is used the world over to reduce stress and reduce difficult emotions. It can work very effectively, which is why it is the most addictive substance in the world. Architects certainly encounter their share of stress and pressure, which can lead to abusing alcohol for a short amount of time or a long amount of time. Architects can also have strained personal lives due to the volume of hours they work, which can lead to addiction and substance abuse as well.
• Street drugs. As was mentioned above, every architect has a creative, experimental side. They rely on their experimental nature when they are creating the concept for a structure. However, when this experimental side of an architect’s personality is not kept occupied, it can get them into trouble. Experimentation is the most common reason a person tries a street drug and becomes addicted to it.
• Sex addiction. In a similar vein as drug addiction, sex addiction is also frequently brought about through an experimental nature. Architects can become sex addicts by pursuing a sexual fascination to the point of being hooked. A sex addiction can also be about comfort. Some people, including architects, are taken in by a sex addiction because it serves as a security blanket to them.

Architecture is an exciting and rewarding career. People who have strong right brain abilities and strong left brain abilities often do very well in architecture because it makes use of their creativity as well as their linear planning abilities. However, despite architecture being a very desirable career field, it is an industry that can put a great deal of stress on its professionals. Architects are met with high expectations such as long work hours and heavy responsibilities.

Expectations are high on architects. Architects will always be in demand because humans will never stop building structures. However, there is a shortage of architects in the industry, which puts professional architects in high demand. This keeps them working around the clock to deliver models and designs to clients. Architecture is an exacting profession, meaning it is intended for the most careful kinds of perfectionists. The level of perfection that is expected from architects is astronomical, increasing the pressure on their shoulders.

The level of responsibility that comes with a career in architecture is also astounding. Architects are the initiators of responsibility for the foundation, support and sturdiness of a structure. If their design is flawed, nothing else in the creation process will be functional. That means the safety of every person who is ever inside the structure or nearby it is their responsibility. This is why architects go to school for a minimum of six years to study every detail of designing buildings.

A great many professional architects state that they love their profession, however, the pressures and expectations are too heavy for some. Many fall away from architecture when they get a taste for how demanding it can be, while others suffer more and more the longer they stay in the industry. Professional architects may end up with mental disorders or addiction problems due to levels of stress they encounter in their careers.

Architecture is a fascinating and necessary industry that attracts brilliant minds, but many people are unaware that it can come with some very stressful responsibilities that drives architects to abuse substances and become addicted. Addiction and substance abuse among architects is not uncommon, it can have very serious negative impacts on their personal lives, their careers and their relationships. Like any high-profile profession, an architect will damage their professional reputation if their addiction or substance abuse becomes out of control. And like any relationship, the people in their lives will suffer by being close to addictive behavior.

Alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription drugs are common substances abused by struggling architects. Alcohol is the depressant most commonly abused by people who are suffering from professional stress due to its appealing emotional numbing effect. Architects face incredible challenges and stress on the job, such as the possibility of designing an unsafe structure, or the ramifications of said challenge. They are under tight deadlines and must balance enormous responsibility with high expectations on them. High level architects have teams of workers beneath them whom they are responsible for as well, adding to the pressure on top of them.

Architects who are struggling with addiction or substance abuse are in need of professional help, and fortunately, there are addiction treatment programs tailored specifically to working professionals and intellectual career holders. At an executive rehab, clients are given the respect that a seasoned working professional deserves, as well as the best in high quality addiction treatment. Many lower level rehab programs are geared toward people who lead lives of less complexity, and the program managers are not equipped to understand how a professionally advanced mind works.

Rather than waste time in an addiction treatment program that is not right for your personality or lifestyle, explore your options in the world of executive rehab. In an executive rehab program, care is taken to restore both your physical and your mental health back to you, all the while working around your professional demands and time commitments. Executive drug rehab is the obvious answer for addicted or substance abusing professional architects.