Hythiam was established in order to help those suffering from chronic addictions regain the opportunity to lead a healthier, more vibrant life. A preponderance of evidence now exists that establishes addiction as a chronic disease of the brain with a strong genetic component. Similar to diabetes, addiction is a complex disease where genetics constitute about 50%-60% of the risk with gene-environment interactions accounting for the remainder. Unfortunately, the historical perception of addiction as a weakness or behavioral problem has led to the associated stigma and serious societal consequences such as poor insurance coverage, loss of employment, and even incarceration for many of those suffering from debilitating disease.
