What is The Alcohol Experiment? 

The Alcohol Experiment is a 30-day alcohol-free challenge for anyone who wonders if life would be a bit better with a bit less booze. The book is comprised of 30 daily readings that provide the knowledge to empower you to make the best decisions about alcohol for the life you want to lead.

The readings focus on undoing a lifetime of unconscious conditioning about alcohol. Each well-researched and scientifically-based reading answers questions like:

• “Why do I drink more than I intend?" 

• "Am I an alcoholic?”

• "Does drinking truly make me happier?”

• "What exactly does alcohol do in my body and brain?

• "How much drinking is too much?"

• "Does alcohol actually relieve stress?”

I am so grateful that I experienced a mindset shift around alcohol before I had any truly tragic occurrences in my life. Recent studies show 1 in 3 Western adults drink at levels that cause them difficulties and 78% of Western adults drink. Further, 90% of regular drinkers want to drink less - at least on occasion. As a society, we are finally waking up to the fact that alcohol is not the “joy juice” we’d been led to believe. The current all or nothing/black or white options for questioning our drinking is terrifying for most people.

My intention with The Alcohol Experiment is to lower the barrier to entry and to make it safe for anyone wondering if they would be happier with a bit less (or no) alcohol in their lives to ask the question without shame, or stigma or fear of the future.

The Alcohol Experiment provides an opportunity to test out a 30 day alcohol-free period in order to start on a journey to freedom, supported by the mindset shift delivered through the daily readings.

I want this to be a mainstream conversation where the simple question “Am I drinking too much?” does not cause fear or shame. That this question becomes as socially acceptable as asking "Am I eating too much sugar?” or “Should I stop smoking cigarettes?”

I hope that this completely guilt-and stigma-free and non-judgmental experiment will provide a way for anyone who wonders if they are having one too many to look at their drinking while providing the right tools for someone to take back control of their relationship with alcohol.

Does The Alcohol Experiment say that drinking after a 30-day break is OK?

As with This Naked Mind, The Alcohol Experiment is about finding freedom and happiness in your relationship with alcohol - no matter what that means for the individual. I have found freedom and happiness by not drinking at all because I understand the addictive nature of alcohol, the mental difficulties of moderation and my personal objectives for my life.

With that knowledge, I have concluded that no alcohol is the best choice for me - the choice where I am happiest and I experience the most freedom. But This Naked Mind has never been about rules, but rather freedom through information and empowerment. 

 

The Alcohol Experiment is a collection of readings - 1 for each day of the challenge - that lay out a path to that freedom, while also recognizing the importance of experimentation to find what works for the individual. I will never say that drinking is “ok” or “not ok” as I believe in personal freedom and choice.

A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The Alcohol Experiment is aimed at people who are psychologically and emotionally addicted to alcohol, NOT physically addicted. Once physical addiction takes hold, it is almost impossible to drink safely in moderation. The intention of this program is to allow someone to examine the facts and trajectory of their drinking before it becomes a serious physical addiction.

According to research, only 10% of regular drinkers have a clinical physical dependence to alcohol. The Alcohol Experiment is targeted at the 90% for whom drinking has become an issue of concern in their lives, but has not yet reached a point of physical addiction.

If you would like more specific guidance please see this page the American Diagnostic Manual for Alcohol Use Disorder: DSM-5. The Alcohol Experiment is targeted at people who's scores are below 6, who have a mild to moderate alcohol use disorder. Which is a significant percentage of the overall population. 

Sign up above to be part of the beta-launch of The Alcohol Experiment. You will receive the complete text of the book as well as membership in the companion social website where you can access daily multimedia files as well as social/community support. We plan to launch the beta group in early September.

Yes! Please sign up and I will send out a first draft of the book in the next few weeks. I would love your feedback.

Yes! In addition to the book, The Alcohol Experiment will incorporate a social site that delivers just this opportunity. Please email hello@thisnakedmind.com and tell us that you want to mentor Alcohol Experiment participants. I will be in touch once the site is launched.

I know that 1:1 contact and accountability can make the difference between someone forever changing their relationship with alcohol and giving up on the challenge. Also, if you are interested in sharing your story publicly on the community and in a Podcast, please let me know! I am looking for some powerful stories to help encourage others and give hope.