Some of the principles of Nowcovery:

1.   Living life authentically is the goal.

To live authentically, we cannot be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or take part in behavioral addictions. These addictions stunt our growth and damage or end our lives.

God has a plan and a purpose for you! We must be free from our addictions to be able to step into that purpose. Ephesians 2:10, Romans 13:13, Jeremiah 29:11

2.      Each person’s Nowcovery can contain different elements. Each person can build a program that works for them, but guidance from our God and treatment professionals should be considered.

Proverbs 17:22, Matthew 11:28, Mark 9:23

We can utilize all the resources of our choice to recover. Some people use different types of exercise, professional help, treatment modalities, music, church, many types of hobbies, and multitudes of recovery programs (like Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery). Much of the work of recovery is ours to do, but Jesus is the ultimate healer, and without this power and help, our spirits might remain crushed, and the work of recovery can stall out or become too overwhelming.

3.      Sometimes “being better” doesn’t necessarily mean being “symptom-free”. Each moment provides us with an opportunity to manage our symptoms in the best way possible.  Symptoms don’t mean we should give up, or that we haven’t made progress.

God decides what he will change in us, how he will do it, and when/if he will do it. Our job is to humbly ask God to change us so we can fulfill our purpose and be healthy. Then we cooperate by choosing different behaviors to the best of our ability.

2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24

4.       We do our best daily. Some days we have an excess of energy to put into doing our best, other times we have limited energy, and our best may look different that day.  

While it’s important to challenge ourselves to take care of our responsibilities, some days we can’t quite conjure up enough energy to “do it all”. Remember, pushing yourself into total exhaustion or sickness is NOT healthy!  Jesus tells us that some days will be full of trials, but we can lean into him because he has overcome the world. This means He is a place of safety, rest, AND resources! Cast any anxiety you may be struggling with onto him and ask him to supply you with what you need. It’s what he has instructed us to do. In times that we are low God’s grace is there for us to get us through each day.

2 Corinthians 12:9 John 16:33, Philippians 4:6 

5.      Comparing ourselves and our lives to others is one of the most damaging things to do. It completely sabotages our forward motion.

We have been created for a purpose and we are all different for very important reasons.

6.      Acceptance of our emotional state is extremely important. We cannot afford to berate ourselves for our emotions. We can lovingly feel and process our emotions, but not judge them. (See principle 4).  

Ask God for help when you are overwhelmed with strong feelings. Don’t take sudden drastic actions that could be damaging. Do the work of Nowcovery, utilize your support systems, and allow your higher power to provide you comfort and peace.

7.      All efforts to unearth and reconcile denial must be made.

Denial creates chaos in our lives and minds. Chaos will perpetuate substance abuse.

8.      Ambivalence can be frustrating (feeling or thinking two different ways about something simultaneously). But for many of us, this is what we live with daily. By accepting the opposition calmly, we can put our energy towards staying focused on our goal of sobriety and better mental health.

There will be a period of wanting and not wanting change. This is NORMAL!

9.      If we want to get and stay sober and support better mental health, we must accept that we need help from God and others.

Nowcovery is not meant to be done alone, neither is life!

10. One of the ways to be most helpful to ourselves is to speak kindly and lovingly to ourselves. 

Negative self-talk, berating, or shaming ourselves is not going to support our journey to sobriety and better mental health.