Once someone successfully makes it through a recovery program, a common practice is bestowing them a gift for support and encouragement. In recent years, one particular item has become a popular choice for those newly sober. So much so, in fact, that it received its own article in New York Magazine. We are talking about the book, This Naked Mind and it’s ability to facilitate clean living.
Written by former marketing executive Annie Grace, This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness and Change Your Life (as it is properly called) features 272 pages of research, introspection and self-help advice that has been embraced by millions. Currently a top seller on Amazon, it’s received a record 1,029 positive reviews; including many testimonials on how it’s positively changed lives.
Originally published in 2015, This Naked Mind puts a strong emphasis on alcoholism. Grace, herself, openly admits that she battled a serious drinking problem that almost destroyed her life. Now she’s transformed her recovery into a full blown brand, with a second book and a weekly podcast.
Grace spoke to New York, explaining why she thinks This Naked Mind has connected with the recovery community so well.
“I think the book works by ending the conflict between your conscious desire to drink less and your unconscious belief that alcohol is beneficial.” Grace explained. “For anyone else reading, I also want to emphasize the point that it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone.”
Grace cites several landmark recovery books as her inspiration. Author Allen Carr’s famous Quit Smoking / Quit Drinking book series was noted, as was The Addictive Brain by Thad A. Polk.
Speaking with the site, Grace also emphasized that alcoholism can strike literally anyone. And she said that, through her podcast and books, she is making major efforts to de-stigmatize these types of dependencies.
“The truth is that alcohol is addictive to any human beings that are made up of blood, flesh, bone, and cells,” she added. “That’s the bottom line. It’s controversial to say it’s an addictive substance, but it’s the truth. It is an inherently addictive substance, and with the right level of exposure and in the right circumstances, any person will get addicted to it. Understanding this fact gives people a lot of freedom.”
Clearly Grace’s words are continuing to strike a chord. If further proof is needed, we recommend visiting the Naked Mind’s Amazon page and reading a few of the reviews.
