India, May 6 -- At 24, a young auto driver from Dharavi found himself struggling with alcoholism. Over time, his dependence on booze took a toll on his family-his wife had to pawn her jewellery, their five-year-old son dropped out of school, and the burden of daily expenses pushed the household into financial hardship. After a serious accident and a long recovery, he turned to the de-addiction centre at KEM Hospital for help. Sitting by his bedside, his wife recalled, "Alcohol changed him. He wasn't the same person anymore."

The auto driver's story echoes the experiences of many others who visit KEM's psychiatry department in search of support and healing. Families from modest backgrounds regularly walk into the hospital's de-addiction O...