“Alcoholism is a Family Disease,” Says Dr. P.C. Jain at Awareness Program

At a public awareness program organized by Al-Anon, senior physician Dr. P.C. Jain, who presided over the event, described alcoholism as a “family disease.”

Drawing from his 25 years of experience, Dr. Jain explained how alcohol addiction often spans generations. He shared a case where a grandfather’s drinking habit was followed by his grandson and later his great-grandson. The grandfather died due to cirrhosis of the liver, while the grandson succumbed to cancer. The great-grandson faced divorce, and the resulting stress led to his mother’s death from a heart attack. Dr. Jain emphasized that such situations deeply affect families mentally, emotionally, economically, and socially, turning it into a collective crisis rather than an individual issue. He added that Al-Anon plays a crucial role in helping families cope with and recover from such challenges.

Dr. R.K. Sharma highlighted the importance of collective support in addressing the issue. Devkishan, who runs Alcoholics Anonymous, also shared his views during the program. Several participants came forward to share their personal experiences.

The event was organized by women members of Al-Anon who had come from Nagpur and Mumbai.