SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER Gundu, Bhaktapur

Abstract

“Substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation center” also known as drug rehabilitation center is a center where people with drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness go to get help and also provides services and advice to get re-established in their society. Its purpose is to assist someone to achieve command over all their senses, abilities, and skills that are needed for the healthy functioning of life. Drug abuse is a worldwide problem that affects millions of people, and Nepal is no exception. In Nepal there are only handfuls of centers offering treatment for around 150-200 people. According to the Nepal Drug Users Survey (2076) conducted by Ministry of Home Affairs, the total number of drug users are 1,30,424. The average annual growth rate from 2063 to 2069 is 11.36% and from 2069 to 2076 is 5.06%. Existing centers offering treatment on a small scale especially targeting for male users only and most of the centers are in a rented house so they cannot properly meet the requirement of rehab center. Rehabilitation centers for drug addicts require proper planning of spaces, requirements, and most importantly it is necessary to understand the behavioral psychology of the patients. Its primary goals are to provide treatment, rather than punishment, for antisocial behavior along with provision services for the residents (i.e. medical, educational, employment, recreation). The facility size and design should encourage flexibility, creativity, and innovation in meeting the concerns for effective programming, safety, and quality of life. This project is an attempt to restore clients spiritual, emotional, biological and social health in addition to accomplish cessation of drug taking habits through the carefully planning of the built-in environment and creating a homely environment with treatment spaces and a family therapy. Staying out of substances means making a mind and a body busy in work so I have tried to provide a patient with group consultation classes, recreational activity spaces, residential units, vocational training, fitness, meditation etc. which make them engage in work and activities. This project put prior focus to the essential space required for both male and female addicted people linked with nature. The buildings and spaces in the design are arranged in two axes vertical and diagonal considering the phase wise treatment.