I feel like this can be a good resource for people struggling with alcohol, but am concerned about her sweeping statements and declarations.

The author also assumes that because she is surrounded by problem drinkers in her life, everyone is.

To this end, she cleverly adds a caveat at the beginning of Chapter 22: The Secret to Happily and Easily Drinking Less, warning the reader that skipping ahead to this chapter will not be effective if you haven’t done the work outlined in previous chapters. She is enjoying exploring everything sober life has to offer and is looking forward to sharing her experience along the way. The author seems to be under some sort of illusion that if she tells us that alcohol is bad, really really bad (no doubt about that), we shall all stop drinking it.

It took me a while to realize what she was doing, but the more I read, the more I realized the point of the whole book is to get the unconscious mind on the same page with the conscious mind about alcohol. This is why, even after we consciously acknowledge that alcohol takes more than it gives, we retain the desire to drink. I thought I needed wine to relax, but in reality I was addicted so I had withdrawals if I didn't get my alcohol on time. This is despite the fact that I ALWAYS add whatever book I’m reading to Goodreads, even if it’s embarrassing.Otherwise it strikes me that we end up with a very black and white world, where anything that doesn’t make sense cognitively is ‘wrong’. It was a really good book and I am amazed at the facts and science behind alcohol and it’s effect on the human body. I know people who abstain by choice; others who moderate extremely well, some who have had their drinking questioned but haven't yet crossed into dependence, and some who are recovering and have nearly died from alcohol consumption. Furthermore, whilst perhaps there is something I failed to grasp, I believe living with cognitive dissonance is part of life. Growing up in a household plagued by addiction, Megan witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences it can have on a family.

None of my family or friends behave like the people described in this book, making her personal anecdotes completely inapplicable. And I was only sexually assaulted a single time, while I was asleep, by a guy who was mad I wouldn't hook up with him. the majority of drinkers believe they drink because they want to, they enjoy it, and they choose to do it. Don't get me wrong, I had never felt the NEED to quit, but I always sensed that alcohol played a negative part in my life but I tuned it out and went on with the party.

Poised, driven, and ambitious, Annie Grace was just 26 when named vice president of a multinational company. I had no idea that this book would challenge me so much, and make me rethink so many of my deeply held beliefs about alcohol. This is not for actual alcoholics who still have problems living life on life's terms once you remove the alcohol.