Maternal Alcohol Abuse and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Many common misconceptions about prenatal exposure to alcohol still exist in the minds of bom the public and professional communities. Many of these misconceptions possess striking similarities to misperceptions about women who abuse alcohol. This paper attempts to do away with some widespread erroneous ideas related to alcohol abuse and its effects. Research results in the areas of drug treatment and developmental outcomes are reviewed and recommendations for service provision to both mothers with alcohol abuse problems and individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are made.

Key Words:

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• maternal
• alcohol abuse
• life span