Week 4

5 Comments

1. Hello,
   I am sharing a very interesting episode of Mel Robbins with Dr. Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation. Some of you have read her book. Here is an excellent interview and a good follow up to our last conversation.
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4rTyhYfZhE
   Claudette xx

   Reply

2. As a follow-up to our conversation today I sent the email message below. If you attend the live zoom and she is able to respond to this question, could you please let me know approximately where in the replay to look? Thanks, Roberta
   ~*~*~

   Hello Annie and Team,

   I am writing to ask a question and to relay the related discussion
   that came up in our LNAF book club this week. In the Aliens’ report on human
   consumption of alcohol (Chapter 11), there is just one bullet point mentioning
   the harm done to children. It appears on page 134 under the subheading “The
   Cost to Society” and reads as follows: “Children of parents who drink heavily
   are 200 to 300 percent more likely to suffer abuse or neglect.”

   The question is: Why are the potential harms to children not
   emphasized more in the book? Wouldn’t better awareness of those risks be a
   compelling argument for some people who contemplate changing their relationship
   with alcohol?

   There’s plenty of research available on the topic. Problem
   drinking/drug use is one of several specific adverse childhood experiences
   (ACEs) that have been linked to trauma, chronic stress, and adverse health
   outcomes in adulthood. Additionally, substance use disorder can create substantial
   collateral damage for children, including other ACEs (e.g., parental violence, imprisonment,
   or death; children feeling unloved or unsafe), an approximately two-fold higher
   risk of later SUD themselves, and the need to be raised apart from parent(s)
   who are unable to care for them. Although societal awareness of the needs of
   children and other family members of individuals with SUD is slowly improving, children
   in particular often remain the unseen victims of SUD.

   Obviously, there’s a vast spectrum of alcohol use in our society, and the consequences of use vary extensively. I’m sure my personal perspective has been influenced by a research project I’m involved with that explores the needs of children affected by parental SUD and those of their caregivers. Some blinded interview transcripts from our research are incredibly tragic, reflecting the dark end of the spectrum.

   The sensitivity of this topic became very clear from our book club discussion. Who among us wants to contemplate the harm we may have unintentionally done to our children? Or how we tried to compensate our loved ones for our drinking? None of this is pleasant to ponder. Also, the great majority of the book’s readers most likely haven’t caused substantial harm to their children.

   So we may have already answered the question ourselves. We also recognize that you were limited in how much content you could include. Yet, my book club friends encouraged me to send the query, as we remain curious.

   Gratefully yours,
   Roberta

   Reply

   1. Very well said. You are a good writer.

      Reply

      1. Thanks Peggy. It’s hard work for me.

         Reply

3. Response received from TNM:
   ________________________________________
   From: This Naked Mind
   Sent: Monday, February 2, 2026 10:49 AM
   To: Roberta Connelly
   Subject: Re: Book Club Question for Annie about Live Naked AF

   Hello Roberta,

   Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your feedback. We always love hearing from readers and members of Annie’s books and our TNM programs.

   We completely understand your book club members’ concern about the alarming ways alcohol use can negatively impact humans across generations. This is something we care deeply about as well, and one of the many reasons we do this work.

   It’s helpful to think about the different ways people are motivated to change. Change can be driven by fear—fear of what could happen or the outcomes we cannot bear to see. This energy often comes with shame, because, as Annie points out in the book, “we follow the worst.” And neuroscience tells us that shame actually keeps us stuck, reinforcing old patterns instead of helping us move forward.

   On the other hand, motivation through awareness and hope creates a very different energy. Awareness is important—we need it to recognize patterns we want to shift. For example, the book cites that “children of parents who drink heavily are 200 to 300 percent more likely to suffer abuse or neglect.” This is vital information, but we don’t need to use it to shame anyone. Shame triggers defensiveness, which blocks change. Instead, we can share awareness with curiosity, compassion, and hope, opening the door to reflection and new possibilities.

   It’s wonderful that your book club is exploring this uncomfortable topic in a safe space. Remember to approach discussions with curiosity and compassion, acknowledging that we are all human and make mistakes.

   For additional support and resources, Annie has provided appendix materials online here:
   https://www.livenakedaf.com/book-endnotes

   Thank you again for engaging so thoughtfully. We’re excited that you’re creating a space for meaningful conversation.

   Warmly,
   Stephanie
   TNM Customer Support Team

   Reply