Claudia Christian: Babylon Confidential

Now think about the World Health Organization figure of 76.3 million people addicted to alcohol. We know from the science that taking naltrexone or nalmefene one hour before a drinking session (the Sinclair way) can help around 80 percent of people. Unlike many other approaches TSM is firmly grounded on evidence-based medicine. Dignified, safe, and kind, this alcoholism treatment is by far the most effective now known. Unfortunately, it does not produce the kind of profits associated with the $6.2 billion rehab industry in the United States. The main ingredients—a prescription from a physician in any general medical setting, according to the American Medical Association, and taking the inexpensive generic medication one hour before drinking in a twenty-four-hour period—are not profitable propositions.

Dr. David Sinclair’s discoveries are now being tested in a promising phase-two double-blind clinical trial for binge-eating disorder (BED) under the auspices of Lightlake Therapeutics Inc. BED appears to be caused by addiction to foods that, like alcohol, release endorphins; therefore, it should be possible to treat BED with a method similar to TSM. It also should be an effective treatment for bulimia. In this instance the treatment uses a short-acting opioid antagonist called naloxone administered as a nasal spray. Naloxone remains in the brain for only a couple of hours, which is the usual duration for an eating binge.

Finally, there is real hope that a sister medication, nalmefene, which is very similar to naltrexone and especially safe, will receive final approval for the treatment of alcoholism after a large European phase-three trial concludes at the end of 2011. Nalmefene would engender enormous hope for problem drinkers, binge drinkers, and alcoholics in the UK, Europe, and eventually the United States.

Claudia Christian’s Babylon Confidential is a courageous contribution to the world. It will inform others who have no idea that a scientifically proven medical treatment for alcohol addiction actually exists for moderate, severe, and end-stage alcoholics. Alcoholism and other addictive behaviors need no longer destroy so many lives. Despite the widespread misconception that alcoholism is an incurable lifelong condition, science informs us that now there really is a cure—that for 80 percent of those who try it, the treatment allows for gradual detoxification and de-addiction.

FROM CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN: Thank you to my family and friends for sticking by me in the tough times; I love and appreciate all of you very much. Holly, you’ve gone through it all with me and I can never say “thank you” enough.

To Drs. David Sinclair and Roy Eskapa—you saved my life. How do you thank someone for that? I am forever grateful for your research and dedication in developing and spreading the word about The Sinclair Method.

Thanks also to Neil Gaiman, Kevin Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, Shari Shattuck, and Walter Koenig for reading this book and offering their kind words of support, and to David Honl for his love, friendship, and massive talent.

And to Morgan… here’s to many more years of collaboration. You are a huge talent with an enormous heart. I don’t know how we found each other but I am utterly chuffed that the universe managed to arrange it.

FROM MORGAN GRANT BUCHANAN: Love and thanks to my wife, Catherine, and sons, Calum and Liam, for their patience and support while I scheduled interviews and phone conferences at all hours from Australia to work on this book.

Sincere thanks to my writing collaborator and friend, Claudia Christian, for asking me to help share her amazing life story.

We’d both like to thank our agent David Fugate at LaunchBooks and the team at BenBella Books for their support and professionalism.

“An honest, page-turning insight into alcoholism and the road back out.”

“I was gratified my method of alcoholism treatment could play a part in Claudia’s journey from addiction to successful recovery. This vivid and insightful book can help save others suffering from this disease.”

“Warning: Once you start reading Babylon Confidential you may not be able stop until the last page. Just as with a good novel, whenever I wasn’t reading, I found myself wondering what would happen next. Babylon Confidential offers mesmerizing insight into the allure of success, the pressures of Hollywood, the pitfalls of love, and the nature of addiction. Despite putting readers through the emotional wringer as it depicts her struggles, Claudia Christian’s memoir ultimately emerges as a message of hope.”

“ Babylon Confidential is compelling, horrifying, and uplifting. Claudia Christian has an amazing story of glitz and darkness and ultimately a journey as strange and exciting as any of her films.”

“[ Babylon Confidential ] is from the heart, succinct, clear, and gives hope where there is none.”

“The dashing and darling Claudia puts herself on the line with her struggles with addiction. Claudia shares and bares it all to help everyone else… . A must-read for fans and for folks dealing with any kind of addiction.”

“Fearless and inspiring. Claudia not only remembers the torturous calamities of her life, as well as the highs, but she recalls them here with skill, grace, and utterly no apology. If you have an addiction, or know someone who does, you must read this book.”

“This story is a runaway train on a roller coaster rail. Told with brutal honesty, Claudia Christian takes us on a trip through her life of sex, drugs, despair, betrayal, courage, humor, love, and triumph. She has lived it all and she’s inviting us along for the ride. Hold on to your hat!”

“A wild ride. Claudia’s James Frey-like voice reveals the secret life of an alcoholic. Read, laugh, and learn. But most importantly, share—to save a life.”

“Claudia Christian shares her darkest secrets and greatest fears in her brilliant new addiction memoir—funny, heart-breaking, engrossing, and brutally honest—a book you won’t be able to put down.”

Copyright © 2012 by Claudia Christian and Morgan Grant Buchanan

Afterword Copyright © 2012 by Dr. Roy Eskapa

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews