Understanding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to One Health in Recovery Spaces

A well-designed physical environment can contribute to increased safety, health and social cohesion. For people seeking recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), the built environment plays an essential role in overall health and wellbeing by shaping emotional regulation and contributing to a sense of belonging. It is thus important to explore biological and psychological responses to the built environment for those seeking recovery support at a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) or Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP). This research explored the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of RCO/CRP directors related to the One Health framework. More specifically, this study examined perceptions toward integrating One Health-aligned design (OHAD) approaches into built environments, and the extent to which these approaches were being applied. Additionally, the study investigated implementation barriers and design strategy adaptations throughout facilities to meet the diverse needs of individuals within recovery spaces. Findings from the study contribute to a deeper understanding of recovery staff knowledge of and attitudes toward OHAD approaches, as well as the features their organizations offer and barriers to implementation, informing future studies on interior design and architectural layouts in therapeutic environments.