FASD Basics
What condition can result from alcohol exposure during pregnancy?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS.
What term describes acting without thinking about the possible consequences?
Impulsivity.
What two challenges may make learning and academic performance difficult for children with FAS?
Cognitive impairments and attention deficits.
What type of drug is alcohol?
A psychoactive depressant drug.
What are four ways alcohol can affect a person’s thinking or behavior?
It can impair judgment, cause memory blackouts, reduce impulse control, and increase risk-taking.
What broader group of conditions includes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD.
What three mental health conditions are associated with FAS?
Depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
How can dropping out of school affect a person’s future?
It can limit future opportunities and increase the risk of substance use and other harmful behaviors.
What are four possible short-term physical effects of alcohol?
Slurred speech, poor coordination, nausea, and dehydration.
What brain chemical affected by alcohol is associated with pleasure and reward?
Dopamine
What two major parts of fetal development can be disrupted by alcohol exposure during pregnancy?
The brain and central nervous system.
What types of problems can aggression, rule-breaking, and inappropriate social behavior sometimes cause?
Relationship problems and legal problems.
What risk may increase when a person with FAS has poor social judgment?
The risk of exploitation.
What organ breaks down alcohol and can process approximately one drink per hour?
The liver
What is it called when a person needs more alcohol to experience the same effect?
Tolerance
Approximately what percentage of school-aged children in the United States may have some form of FASD?
Approximately 1% to 5%.
Why might some individuals with FAS begin using alcohol or drugs?
To cope with emotional distress.
What type of training can help individuals with FAS develop employment skills and become more independent?
Vocational training.
What is the correct order of alcohol-related liver damage, from the earliest stage to the most severe stage?
Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
What is it called when a person drinks to feel normal and experiences withdrawal symptoms when stopping?
Dependence
Why can alcohol exposure during pregnancy cause lifelong physical, cognitive, and behavioral complications?
Alcohol crosses the placenta and disrupts the development of the fetal brain and central nervous system.
What type of care addresses both behavioral challenges and psychological or mental health needs?
Integrated care.
How can the cognitive and behavioral complications of FAS affect employment?
They can interfere with job performance and make it difficult to maintain stable employment.
What five factors discussed in the presentation contribute to a hangover?
Dehydration, inflammation, irritation of the stomach lining, disrupted sleep, and acetaldehyde.
What condition involves loss of control and continued alcohol use despite negative consequences?
Addiction