What It Is

“Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders” (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual who was prenatally exposed to alcohol. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. It includes conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). Each year, at least 40,000 babies are born with FASD, costing the Nation up to $6 billion annually in institutional and medical costs.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can result in cognitive, social and motor deficiencies and other lifelong problems. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause permanent brain damage. The fetal brain can be harmed at any time, because the brain develops throughout pregnancy. Resulting impairments may include mental retardation, learning disabilities, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and problems with impulse control, language, memory and social skills.

Although many questions remain unanswered, this much is clear: When a pregnant woman uses alcohol, her baby does, too.  If women do not drink alcohol during pregnancy, FASD is 100 percent preventable.  Abstaining from drinking throughout pregnancy and during breastfeeding is the best gift a mother can give her child—it’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Each year approximately 150-200 Wisconsin babies are negatively affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, and approximately 70-80 babies are born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). However, given that Wisconsin women of childbearing age lead the national in alcohol consumption and that 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned, the number of babies negatively affected by prenatal alcohol exposure could be much higher. 

There are a lot of reasons women should control their drinking. Protecting their children from FASD is at the top of the list.  For many women, it’s difficult to do alone. Help is available. With appropriate prevention, treatment and other support services, all Wisconsin women can have an opportunity for a fulfilling life that includes a healthy pregnancy, healthy children, a job, a home, and meaningful relationships with family and friends.

If you consume alcoholic beverages, it’s important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Assess your alcohol consumption and make goals for improvement if you feel your alcohol consumption is impeding a healthy life. Surrounding yourself with a solid foundation of supporters is crucial for success. Let family and friends know your decision to adjust your drinking habit so they can be readily available to support you. Avoid people and places that will tempt you to stray from your goals.

Know the Signs

Have you ever needed a drink to start your day or simply to stop shaking? Has your drinking ever created problems at home, with friends or in your relationships? Answering questions like these are the first steps to finding out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem.

Go to www.alcoholscreening.org and answer a few questions to see if you need to make changes to your alcohol consumption. You will receive personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns. Your responses are completely confidential and anonymous.

Participate in Support Groups

Many women who need alcohol treatment may not receive it due to lack of money or child care, fear of losing custody of their children, or other barriers. For successful recovery, women often need a continuum of care for an extended period of time. This may include comprehensive inpatient or outpatient treatment, case management, counseling and other mental health treatment.

For every individual and family, treatment preferences and needs vary. Research you options and see what will work best for you and your support network. You can find a directory listing of state-sponsored, women-specific treatment centers and services in your area by visiting the Wisconsin Women’s Education Network (WWEN) Web site at www.dcs.wisc.edu/pda/wwen.

For a listing of private treatment centers and services in your area consult your phone book under “Alcohol Information and Treatment Centers.”

Easy Does It

• Drink slowly.  This can help avoid becoming intoxicated too quickly which often influences you to drink more than you should. 
• Include some healthy snacks while you are consuming alcohol.  
• Pass on drinking in rounds. If you do join in, occasionally order a non-alcoholic drink.   
• Finish the glass before refilling so you can keep track of how much you are drinking. 
• Space out drinks with water, soft drinks or other non-alcoholic drinks.
• Limit the amount of money you take out to help reduce your alcohol intake. 
• Eat a substantial meal before drinking, or at least while you are drinking.

Share the Word 

All women need to be aware of the facts about how alcohol affects them differently than men. Encourage friends and family to drink in moderation. There is no fast way of sobering up.  Drinking strong coffee, having a cold shower, exercise or vomiting will not help you sober up. Let your girlfriends know their limits are different.

Be the D.D.

Offering to be the designated driver is a good way to ward off peer pressure to get a drink when you don’t want to.