Hythiam Announces Peer-Reviewed Publication of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hythiam, Inc. (NASDAQ:HYTM) announced today that the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the impact of the medical component of the PROMETA^® Treatment Program on methamphetamine dependent subjects were published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, a peer-reviewed, international journal that publishes original research and review articles on preclinical and clinical aspects of psychopharmacology. The journal provides a forum for researchers and practicing clinicians on the effects of drugs on animal and human behavior, and the mechanisms underlying these effects. The article was recently released and is titled, “A Controlled Trial of Flumazenil and Gabapentin for Initial Treatment of Methylamphetamine Dependence,” Urschel III, Harold C., Hanselka, Larry L., and Baron, Michael, J Psychopharmacol OnlineFirst, November 25, 2009, doi:10.1177/0269881109349837. The results of the 30-day study were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis that included all randomized participants, and missing days were counted as positive for methamphetamine use. The final data demonstrated that the medical component of the PROMETA Treatment Program achieved a statistically significant reduction in the combined craving score for methamphetamine when compared to placebo, and that craving was a significant predictive factor for subsequent drug use. The results are the first to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted to assess the impact of the PROMETA Treatment Program on methamphetamine dependence.

“A Controlled Trial of Flumazenil and Gabapentin for Initial Treatment of Methylamphetamine Dependence”

“This publication of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the PROMETA Treatment Program in a peer-reviewed journal continues to provide validation for the use of the PROMETA Treatment Program, especially in the context of an integrated treatment program like our Catasys solution,” said Dr. Gary Ingenito, Hythiam’s Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs. “The results of this study demonstrate how the PROMETA Treatment Program rapidly reduces cravings in a significant manner for methamphetamine subjects. The results are meaningful because there is an important relationship between cravings and use that has been previously established in the literature. We look forward to additional publications of results from other completed double-blind studies in peer-reviewed journals.”

About Hythiam^®

Hythiam, Inc. provides through its Catasys subsidiary, specialized behavioral health management services to health plans, employers and unions through a network of licensed and company managed health care providers. The Catasys substance dependence program was designed to address substance dependence as a chronic disease. The program seeks to lower costs and improve member health through the delivery of integrated medical and psychosocial interventions in combination with long term care coaching, including the proprietary PROMETA^® Treatment Program for alcoholism and stimulant dependence. The PROMETA Treatment Program, which integrates behavioral, nutritional, and medical components, is also available on a private-pay basis through licensed treatment providers. Hythiam does not practice medicine or manufacture, distribute, or sell any medications and has no relationship with any manufacturers or distributors of medications used in the PROMETA Treatment Program. For further information, please visit www.hythiam.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. These risk factors include, among others, limited operating history and lack of statistically significant formal research studies, the risk that treatment protocols might not be effective, difficulty in developing, exploiting and protecting proprietary technologies, intense competition and substantial regulation in the health care industry; and additional risks factors as discussed in the reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at http://www.sec.gov.