Application of Architecture as a Therapeutic Tool: Design Solutions for Residential Addiction Treatment Camps Based on Environmental Psychology Principles to Enhance Motivation for Quitting

Abstract

Based on scientific evidence, addiction is a recognized disease that primarily damages the human brain and disrupts its communication system. This disease is considered a mental disorder due to the individual's departure from normal states and lack of control. Today, the architecture of most residential camps is not compatible with the mental and psychological conditions of patients, and these centers generally have a change of use, meaning that the physical space of the camp belonged to a space with another use in the past. The architectural and specific design of addiction residential camps, considering the mental and psychological states of addicted patients and establishing a link between addiction psychology and environmental psychology, can increase the motivation for quitting in addicts. Attention to the characteristics of light, form, color, ventilation, visual appeal, and view in camp spaces plays a significant role in creating motivation in addicts and improving their conditions. Previous researchers have focused more on the superficial and physical concepts and aspects of addiction treatment; therefore, it can be claimed that this article is the first time to establish a connection between addiction psychology and environmental psychology and the use of architectural creativity in the design of camp spaces. This research also aims to change the approach to the architectural design of camps based on the establishment of a link between addiction psychology and environmental and human psychology. The type of research is qualitative, and its data collection is based on library-field studies (questionnaire) and interviews with experts and camp survivors. The results show that harmony between addiction psychology and the environment in the architectural design of addiction treatment camps can create creative and innovative spaces that improve the quality of treatment spaces and motivate patients in the path of quitting and treatment.