Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)
A large number of non-violent criminal offenders are serving or have served time for drug-related charges – many of whom suffer from drug or alcohol addiction themselves. Unlearning behaviors that have become ingrained in your mind isn’t easy, but it’s crucial if you want to stay sober. Our MRT treatment (Moral Reconation Therapy treatment) in the United States aims to help rehabilitate people’s behaviors to reduce their chances of picking up drugs or alcohol again.
Addiction is a disease that impacts people from all walks of life. For example, the owner of a billion-dollar business can become addicted to opioids just as easily as someone living on the streets can. This disease does not discriminate, nor does it mean that the people who experience it are “bad” people. Furthermore, many people still think of addiction as a choice. As a result, addiction is not free from stigma.
These challenges and more make it difficult to overcome drug or alcohol addiction. A common example of this is individuals who face criminal charges and/or are serving a sentence for one or more criminal acts. Moral Reconation Therapy is beneficial for individuals who struggle with utilizing moral reasoning.
Ideal MRT Treatment Candidates
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT treatment) is traditionally most beneficial to criminal offenders who are looking to maintain their sobriety. However, it is also used to help treatment-resistant clients progressively address the ego, social, and moral issues associated with their thinking.
The goal of this type of therapy is to utilize moral reasoning to reduce recidivism rates among this population by using defined steps focusing on promoting healthy habits and positive identity formation. Since some criminal offenders struggle with deciphering between right and wrong, this approach is proven highly effective in helping them reshape their moral identity and break a variety of psychological traditions that have become ingrained in a person’s mind.
In addition, Moral Reconation Therapy supports recovery from substance use disorders and other issues, such as trauma and abuse. Whether you have a long history of drug abuse, have survived trauma that has severely affected your mental health, or are a veteran, this type of treatment can help you overcome your difficulties.
What is Moral Reconation Therapy?
MRT is a form of therapy that is conducted in either an individual or group setting. This behavioral treatment is a widely-renowned approach that reduces recidivism rates by changing thought processes and decision-masking abilities that are associated with crime and addiction.
Participants meet at least once per week to participate in therapy that involves homework, group exercises, and utilization of an MRT workbook. MRT is rooted in 16 objectively defined steps that focus on seven basic treatment issues.
According to the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), these seven issues are:
- A confrontation of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors
- Assessment of current relationships
- Reinforcement of positive behavior and habits
- Positive identity formation
- Enhancement of self-concept
- A decrease in hedonism and development of frustration tolerance
- Development of higher stages of moral reasoning
This behavioral approach combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the way it targets destructive patterns and offers solutions to negative thought processes. However, Moral Reconation Therapy is not considered a sole treatment option for substance abuse or mental health. Instead, people who participate in MRT programs are usually encouraged to enroll in comprehensive substance abuse or mental health treatment program that utilizes pharmacotherapy and evidence-based treatment therapies.
What Are The Benefits of Moral Reconation Therapy?
Whether you are dealing with alcoholism, drug addiction, or any other type of substance abuse while you are incarcerated, on probation, etc., you don’t need to give up hope.
- Getting to the root of the behaviors and beliefs that keep you continually using drug or alcohol, committing crimes, and engaging in self-destructive or risky behaviors.
- Building up a positive sense of self-esteem and self-worth to support a healthier lifestyle and decision making.
- Learning how to manage frustration, stress, and any other dissatisfactory emotions that lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Enhancing your understanding of moral reasoning and showing you how to improve your personal morality.
- Reduce repeat offenders by increasing moral concepts and awareness.
Your participation in MRT treatment is not only beneficial to you, but it is also beneficial to your friends, family, loved ones, and even the general public. There is no doubt that when some people are released from the criminal justice system, they go back to their addictive and/or criminal tendencies.
Oftentimes, this isn’t their fault, but it’s due to years of cultivating destructive behavioral patterns and unhealthy coping skills. However, participation in MRT is proven to reduce rates of crime, recidivism, and substance abuse. This ultimately allows for positive personal development and a safer community as a whole.
How Effective is MRT?
Studies show that recidivism rates decreased by two-thirds between six months to two years in clients. This is a major success. After all, MRT treatment was developed to help treat those individuals most resistant to treatment.
MRT remains one of the most common forms of therapy available in jails and prisons in the country due to its effectiveness. Consequently, there are notable changes in criminal offenders after participating in this specific therapy.
Do You Need Help?
Drug addiction, alcoholism, and substance abuse are extremely challenging issues to deal with, especially if you are experiencing other serious issues at the same time. At A Forever Recovery, we know just how many people addiction can impact, including those who have served time or who are about to serve time.
Individuals in the criminal justice system who are struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism, or another kind of substance abuse are ideal candidates for Moral Reconation Therapy in the United States. If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help. We are here to guide you towards a life that is free from repeated jail time, destructive behaviors, and continued substance abuse.