Program Director Joshua Pitts speaks on Moral Reconation Therapy
MARSHALL COUNTY — Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) is an evidenced based cognitive therapy that aims to reduce recidivism by teaching people within the criminal justice system with a substance use disorder to explore the “moral aspects” of their condition and the consequences of certain behavior.
Though it began as treatment for offenders, MRT is also found to be an effective cognitive-behavioral approach for trauma survivors, domestic violence survivors, and specific populations including veterans. When addressing the element of “choice” in terms of recovery, Marshall County Correctional Facility Director of Programs Joshua Pitts indicated there was no easy answer. “Power of choice when looking at recovery is difficult and easily confused. People learning about recovery and moving forward along their path of recovery will admit that they were powerless over drugs/ alcohol. What they mean by that is once they start they cannot stop. Thus, it’s important to never get started again once you’ve found a way to stop, sometimes that means
jail or rehab. The power of choice in my opinion comes down to people, places, and things.”
Once in recovery, it is important for an individual to make healthy choices. Though some circumstances may not allow for immediate change, Pitts emphasized to improve what can be changed. “A person in recovery can choose who to spend time with, where to go, and what activities to allow themselves to get involved in. If they control those three very important things they have a really good chance at doing well on their recovery journey. Once they get started using again it is very difficult to stop.”
Several variables impact social cognition. “I would say understanding that your thoughts come from past experiences in your life. We might not be able to control initial thoughts. But we can control our reactions to those thoughts and give ourselves time to think through things and come up with some better options.”
Individuals in MRT are presented with information and guided workbook activities to provide them with an opportunity to learn how to control their responses to thoughts and emotions. Much of that focus in detainment is within.
Pitts said, “We focus on what you have control of because that is what can be changed. Control of within yourself.”
Thoughts can be influenced by emotion, and emotion influences thoughts. Individuals may not be able to control their emotions, or their thoughts all of the time — they can control their response. “Initial thoughts from what I see are typically driven by emotion. Action based on emotion can be very ugly.”
For that reason, anger management is of critical importance .“that’s why learning to control one’s anger is very important in life. Doesn’t mean people don’t get angry. But most certainly those that are successful do not act on that emotion.” He illustrated emotional control using professional fighters as an example. “Staying calm while fighting has to be difficult. But champions do that.”
Pitts did not say that the process is easy but is possible. He stood by his belief, “Recovery is real.”