The Naked Mind by Annie Grace. Thoughts on this book?? I recently gave it a read due to a lot of good feedback. It’s also free with prime on the kindle!
Opened my eyes to a lot about the subconscious mind and our relationships towards alcohol as well as the culture around drinking that’s hammered home to us and engrained in to our society. however I found it insanely repetitive and couldn’t finish the last parts.
The book Alcoholics Anonymous had a profound impact on me. Maybe because the truth was laid out in a clear way. There was no sugar coating about the situation. The experiences laid out in the book made me realise that I am an alcoholic and if I continue to drink and not take action, I will be dead like my brother who passed away due to this illness in 94. Recently after someone brought this topic up, I did view some of the interviews. It was mind bogling for someone to come out and say there is nothing like that as an alcoholic. She believes in some new age studies that brand drinkers and puts them in a whide "spectrum of drinking". The book AA talks about normal drinkers and then the Hard Drinkers. And then there are the "Real Alcoholics". The 3rd catogory of people can only be helped by a spiritual awakening and when that drinkers wakes up one day and wishes to have one. Until then, no one can fix them. We can only try to educate them about the mental twist/blind spots.
I’ve not read up much on AA to be honest.I’ll admit I do agree with her theory and also Allen Carrs. Alcohol is the problem, not the individual. It’s a drug like any other addictive substance. However it’s the only drug you don’t have to justify taking, and that’s the problem. Alcohol is so socially accepted and ingeniously marketed that we don’t see it for the poison it is, whether you’re the regular drinker or the park bench drunk.
We see everyday people come into AA after a great 30-90 day sting at rehabs and if they dont act (work the 12 steps) they end up drinking again. If alcohol was the problem, why do these people go back? They probably had a sound brain dump of what alcohol does to the body and mind. But that doesn't help. Alcohol is not the problem. Like the book AA says men and women drink because of the effect produced by alcohol. Thats why a core set of people go back again and again.
Its a tricky situation for alcoholics. Ones bottom may not impress another. One has to have his/her own bottom. If they wake up and they dont die before that, they then attempt to make some change. Many dont survive if they dont realize that they are the problem. The book AA talks about selfishness and self-centeredness being the root cause of all problems.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn’t think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.
ive read the first 15 chapters twice and thought it was very enlightening especially about how the mind tricks us. I gave me a better understanding of how to stop alcohol and changed my mindset. Highly recommend a read but as you say repeating the same messages over and over gets boring
I suggest you give Allen Carrs: ‘easy way to stop drinking’ a read as well. The Naked Mind is basically a different version of his book.
It is definately worth a read. I think I get something valuable from most of the quit lit books. They do all seem to be very repetitive trying to drill it in to the readers brain. I liked her marketing viewpoint. How bars are set up to make alcohol look sophisticated and classy. Knowledge is power. If you're a mum that's slipped into drinking too much Claire Pooley ' Sober diaries' is very relateable.Catherine Grey ' Unexpected joy of being sober' is more hard hitting but very interesting last few chapters repetitive but useful signposting to organisations. I love reading to support quitting as it's a double edged sword useful strategies and a useful distraction from cravings. Thanks Jimbo, I love the idea of a quit lit book review club.
I know where are the health warning and lists of side effects. Can you imagine how long that list would be .......
I might give it a read (especially as it’s free!). However, in general I try not to dwell on the subject. For one reason: it becomes the centre of your mind for a while. The same goes for stopping smoking or cutting down on food. It’s bad enough with constant booze advertising and wine appreciation on the TV. It’s wonderful to stop missing it.
Like and appreciate your response. 🐿x
6 months and going with couple skips along the way.
How to control or stop drinking 
One Year Sober Challenge 
Drinking to much again