Alcohol News - 52/2025

The 2025 holiday season highlights a persistent tension: while the cultural ideal is "Christmas Peace" (Joulurauha/Julefred), the reality remains a peak period for alcohol-related harm, domestic instability, and public safety challenges.

The tradition of "Declaring Christmas Peace" remains the central civic ritual of the season, serving as the official demarcation line between the chaos of preparation (and the "Little Christmas" party season) and the enforced stillness of the holiday proper. In December 2025, this tradition was upheld with rigorous formality, serving as a stark counter-narrative to the police reports that would follow hours later.

In Finland, the City of Turku continued its role as the custodian of this tradition. On Christmas Eve, 2025, at exactly 12:00 noon, the Declaration of Christmas Peace was read at the Old Great Square. https://www.joulukaupunkiturku.fi/en/finlands-turku-declares-christmas-peace/  The text, a 19th-century transcription of a medieval statute, was delivered in both Finnish and Swedish. It serves as a performative speech act; by reading the words, the city officials effectively "create" the peace. The declaration admonishes citizens to behave "quietly and peacefully," warning that those who break the peace - historically through violence or drunken disorder - would face aggravating circumstances.

A parallel and equally significant observance occurred in Estonia, highlighting the shared Hanseatic and Swedish legal heritage of the region. On December 24, 2025, Christmas Peace was proclaimed in the capital, Tallinn, by Mayor Peeter Raudsepp from the window of the Town Hall. https://news.err.ee/1609894037/christmas-peace-to-be-declared-in-tallinn-and-tartu-on-wednesday  The lineage of this custom in Estonia is directly traced to the 17th-century reign of Queen Christina of Sweden, creating a historical bridge between the nations.

Sweden: Addressing High Intoxication Perceptions

• Systembolaget Survey: A new survey reveals that 79% of Swedes believe it is common for adults to drink to intoxication around children during Christmas. This highlights a significant gap between the "family holiday" ideal and reality. https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/ahead-of-christmas-8-in-10-see-intoxication-around-children  
• Nationwide Action: To counter this, the "Vit Jul" (White Christmas) campaign is hosting over 200 alcohol-free activities across Sweden, providing safe environments for youth when they need them most. https://drugnews.se/2025/12/01/200-vit-jul-aktiviteter-for-barn-och-unga-i-hela-sverige/  
• Local Initiatives: In Robertsfors, organizations like IOGT-NTO and the Scouts are actively creating "safe harbors" through sober events like holiday discos, emphasizing that Christmas should belong to the children. https://www.mellanbygden.nu/2025-12-18/de-jobbar-for-en-alkoholfri-jul-d1e66

Norway: Concerns in Homes and Workplaces

• Child Safety in Buskerud: An Ipsos survey for Av-og-til shows that one in three residents in Buskerud has witnessed intoxicated adults with children during the last two holiday seasons. https://www.eikernytt.no/2025/12/21/en-av-tre-i-buskerud-har-sett-berusede-voksne-sammen-med-barn-i-jula/  
• The Workplace Culture: A national survey on the traditional "julebord" (Christmas parties) found that 55% of Norwegians feel the alcohol level is too high, with 60% reporting they have seen colleagues or leaders over-intoxicated. https://www.dagsavisen.no/nyheter/derfor-skiller-julebordet-seg-ut/10097412

Estonia: Combating Risky Behavior

• "Black Christmas Cards": The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) sent 880 black cards to the country's most dangerous repeat traffic offenders. This 15-year tradition aims to force reflection on the "mark" these drivers leave on society. https://news.err.ee/1609889512/estonia-s-police-send-black-christmas-cards-to-over-800-dangerous-drivers

"Gift the Child a Sober Christmas": National health and police officials are urging parents to prioritize stability, noting that domestic conflict calls involving children and alcohol-related EMO visits spike during the long holiday weekends. https://etakoda.ee/kained-joulud/index.html  

Finland: Breaking the Silence

• "Anna lapselle raitis joulu": The Raittiuden Ystävät campaign highlights that 1 in 10 Finnish children live in homes where alcohol use is excessive. The initiative focuses on the fact that even small changes in adult behavior can break a child’s sense of security. https://www.annalapselleraitisjoulu.fi/

Denmark: Support During Family Festivities

• The Helpline is Open: Alkohol & Samfund reports that one in ten Danes believes too much alcohol is consumed at family Christmas lunches. Their national helpline, Alkolinjen, remains open throughout the holidays to support the 26% of Danes who feel nervous about a relative’s drinking ruining the atmosphere. https://alkohologsamfund.dk/nyheder/alkolinjen-holder-aabent-i-juledagene-hver-tiende-synes-der-bliver-drukket-for-meget-til

Lithuania: Policy Progress and Individual Risks

• Memories vs. Reality: Child rights defenders are calling for a "sober balance," reminding parents that children’s holiday memories are shaped by the emotional safety adults provide. https://vaikoteises.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/vaiko-teisiu-gynejai-primena-vaikams-kurkime-saugias-kaledas-fBZ/  
• Consumption Trends: While OECD 2025 data shows Lithuania's annual consumption has dropped to 11L per capita (a 32% decrease over a decade), health experts warn that holiday "binge" drinking remains a high-risk factor for poisoning and long-term health issues. https://aina.lt/skaudzios-alkoholio-vartojimo-pasekmes-per-sventes-nedarykite-siu-klaidu/

Alcohol News - 51/2025

NordAN (Sweden) - Ahead of Christmas: 8 in 10 see intoxication around children
Almost all Swedes believe it is common for adults to become intoxicated in the presence of children during Christmas. This is shown in Systembolaget’s latest survey conducted as part of the initiative Childhood without a hangover. Children’s Rights in Society (Bris) also reports that calls from children increase during the Christmas holidays.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/ahead-of-christmas-8-in-10-see-intoxication-around-children

Euractiv (EU) - EU states seek tighter limits on cross-border tobacco and alcohol Shopping
Several European countries have suggested amending EU legislation governing trade within the single market, introducing new limits on the amount of tobacco products individuals may import, Euractiv has learned. Finland, Estonia and Germany have reportedly advocated extending any amendments to Article 32 to include alcoholic beverages as well.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/countries-want-to-curb-cross-boarder-shopping-of-tobacco-alcohol/

Termedia (Poland) - Alcohol as a public health threat in Poland: rising consumption, weakening policy, and increasing mortality
According to recent Polish epidemiological data, alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for many diseases, responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually, and a significant number of hospitalizations.
https://www.termedia.pl/Alcohol-as-a-public-health-threat-in-Poland-rising-consumption-weakening-policy-and-increasing-mortality,100,57221,1,1.html

www.heart.org - Before you toast, know the risks of ‘holiday heart syndrome’
“Holiday heart syndrome” sounds almost joyful, perhaps something that would afflict an excitable elf. But for people who mix alcohol with their seasonal celebrations, it’s a potentially serious problem.
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2025/12/15/before-you-toast-know-the-risks-of-holiday-heart-syndrome

News-Medical (USA) - Alcohol-related liver disease deaths surge with widening socioeconomic gaps
Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine say deaths from alcohol-related liver disease have surged in recent years, and the increase is hitting people without a college degree the hardest.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20251216/Alcohol-related-liver-disease-deaths-surge-with-widening-socioeconomic-gaps.aspx

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) - Long-running NT alcohol study recommends changes to costs and trading hours
A long-running joint study of the Northern Territory's alcohol-supply interventions has recommended changes to reduce the region's nation-leading rates of alcohol-related harm.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-19/alcohol-study-nt-reform-bottle-shop-costs-trading-hours-bdr/106153030

College of Policing - New research into reducing alcohol-related violence
The College of Policing has published a What Works rapid evidence assessment, reviewing 42 international studies to identify the most effective interventions for tackling alcohol-related violence in nightlife settings.
https://www.college.police.uk/article/new-research-reducing-alcohol-related-violence

PsyPost - Alcohol use linked to lower psychological resilience in soldiers, study finds
Regular consumption of alcohol is linked to reduced mental fortitude among soldiers. A recent analysis of Spanish Army personnel found that those who consume at least one alcoholic beverage daily exhibit lower levels of emotional intelligence and self-worth.
https://www.psypost.org/alcohol-use-linked-to-lower-psychological-resilience-in-soldiers-study-finds/

Futurity: Research News - Raising the drinking age could benefit teen mental health in Europe
A study based on policy changes in Spain shows that teenagers drink significantly less alcohol when the minimum legal drinking age is raised.
https://www.futurity.org/raising-legal-drinking-age-mental-health-3313502/

Belfast News Letter (Northern Ireland) - NCD Alliance Calls for Minimum Unit Pricing Legislation in Northern Ireland
Members of the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance NI, which is made up of health charities and organisations, have issued an urgent appeal to the Northern Ireland Executive to introduce legislation for Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol, warning that continued delay and blockages within the Executive will result in mounting strain on our already over-stretched health services and deaths that could be avoided.
https://www.newsletter.co.uk/health/ncd-alliance-calls-for-minimum-unit-pricing-legislation-in-northern-ireland-5446189

PopNAD (Sweden) - How working from home affects alcohol use in Sweden
Remote work has increased significantly since the years before the pandemic, raising questions about its impact on employees’ drinking habits, as alcohol policies are harder to monitor outside the workplace.
https://nordicwelfare.org/popnad/en/artiklar/how-working-from-home-affects-alcohol-use-in-sweden/

WRS (Switzerland) - Parliament rejects WHO alcohol policy
The Upper House of Parliament, the Council of States has overwhelmingly rejected adopting an alcohol policy based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation.
https://www.worldradio.ch/news/bitesize-news/parliament-rejects-who-alcohol-policy/

IOCB Prague - Alcohol causes cancer. A study from IOCB Prague confirms damage to DNA and shows how cells defend against it
Alcohol consumption leads to the formation of a toxic compound called acetaldehyde, which damages DNA. A research team from IOCB Prague has now described in detail how cells repair this damaged genetic information.
https://www.uochb.cz/en/news/759/alcohol-causes-cancer-a-study-from-iocb-prague-confirms-damage-to-dna-and-shows-how-cells-defend-against-it

NordAN (Finland) - Dissertation study: a holistic view of addiction can reduce stigma around substance dependence
A new doctoral dissertation in philosophy by Piia Koivumäki (University of Jyväskylä) examines addiction through Lauri Rauhala’s philosophical view of the human being.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/dissertation-study-a-holistic-view-of-addiction-can-reduce-stigma-around-substance-dependence

Alcohol and Cancer - New research strengthens evidence linking alcohol use to cancer
As Americans gear up for the holiday season, new research offers a timely reminder to reflect on the long-term health effects of raising a celebratory glass – or two. Alcohol is known to increase the risk of several cancers even at moderate levels. Yet drinking remains widespread, and important questions persist about how both the frequency and amount of alcohol people consume shape their cancer risk.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/new-research-strengthens-evidence-linking-alcohol-use-to-cancer

FASD News - 50/2025

Waatea News (New Zealand) - A Landmark Win for Disabled Learners as FASD Community Backs Human Rights Resolution
Advocacy groups and disabled learners are celebrating a significant human rights victory after overwhelming support was shown for a landmark resolution recognising the rights of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) within New Zealand’s education and disability frameworks.
https://waateanews.com/2025/12/13/a-landmark-win-for-disabled-learners-as-fasd-community-backs-human-rights-resolution/

The Cap Times - Schools need to recognize fetal alcohol challenges
A teacher watches a student struggle to follow yesterday’s lesson. The child can’t remember the sequence or connect cause to effect, so the teacher sees defiance and laziness.
https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-schools-need-to-recognize-fetal-alcohol-challenges/article_d9160a4b-3452-400a-96c5-6c96e9966fb3.html

Quiver Quantitative (USA) - Murkowski and Klobuchar Announce Passage of FASD Respect Act to Support Affected Individuals
Senators Murkowski and Klobuchar celebrate the signing of the FASD Respect Act, enhancing support for individuals affected by FASD.
https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Murkowski+and+Klobuchar+Announce+Passage+of+FASD+Respect+Act+to+Support+Affected+Individuals

The Conversation (South Africa) - South Africa needs to rethink how it measures intellectual and developmental disabilities – what’s lacking
The effective planning and delivery of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Africa is severely constrained by the lack of reliable data.
https://theconversation.com/south-africa-needs-to-rethink-how-it-measures-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-whats-lacking-268497

Citybuzz (USA) - Texas Tech Student Receives FASD Scholarship, Highlights Need for Better Understanding in Social Work
Amelia Hernandez, a junior at Texas Tech University majoring in Social Work, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Scholarship.
https://www.citybuzz.co/2025/12/12/texas-tech-student-receives-fasd-scholarship-highlights-need-for-better-understanding-in-social-work/

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Australia) - Australia's mothers and babies: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
The consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia and entwined with many social and cultural activities. Alcohol consumption in pregnancy can lead to poorer perinatal outcomes including low birthweight, being small for gestational age, pre-term birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) (NHMRC 2020).
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/antenatal-period/alcohol

National Organisation for FASD (UK) - National FASD response to BBC report on adoption breakdown and FASD
Today’s BBC reports on adoption breakdown shines a light on the need for better information and support for families supporting children with complex needs, including FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) as mentioned in the report.
https://nationalfasd.org.uk/response_to_bbc_report_adoption_breakdown_fasd/

NOFAS Policy Center (USA) - FASD Respect Act Signed into Law, Delivering Support to Individuals with FASD
Thanks to the advocacy of families across the country, the FASD Respect Act has been signed into law, following passage by the U.S. Congress as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 (HR.2483).
https://nofaspolicycenter.org/fasd-respect-act-signed-into-law-delivering-support-to-individuals-with-fasd/

FASD-CAN (New Zealand) - Alcohol and Mental Health Sector Consensus Statement
In May 2025, over 100 stakeholders from the sector came together at an Alcohol and Mental Health Symposium hosted by our friends at Alcohol Healthwatch. The ‘Consensus Statement’ resulting from the symposium has recently been released.
https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/alcohol_and_mental_health_sector_consensus_statement

NOFASD Australia - FASD Advocate Megan Brown wins Human Rights Award
NOFASD is delighted to congratulate Megan Brown, a member of our Lived Experience Advisory Group, who was announced at a ceremony in Darwin, as the recipient of an award in the prestigious NT Human Rights Awards.
https://www.nofasd.org.au/blog/fasd-advocate-megan-brown-wins-human-rights-award/

 

VIDEOS
ZERO TO THREE - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Minnesota’s Work on Assessment, Treatment, and Building a Workforce
ZERO TO THREE’s Financing Policy Project brings together nationally recognized experts to explore Minnesota’s innovative work to better identify and support young children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enXcAVwdEXM

FASDSUCCESS - Why Progress in FASD Starts with One Better Day
In this clip from Episode 179 of The FASD Success Show, Melissa Dobson shares the advice she gives to parents who feel like they’ll never make it through another year, week, or even day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGp_AOLaBzM

FASDSUCCESS - Dr. Catherine Lebel on Brain Growth, Hope & Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research
In this special episode, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Catherine Lebel, Canada’s leading researcher in FASD brain imaging and Director of the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab at the University of Calgary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuH88ma54Yg

FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - FASD United - November 2025 Policy Forum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM8q6C2h5_8

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - The Invisible Struggle Addressing FASD in Child Welfare, with Dr. William Curran
In this compelling episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper engages with Dr. William Curran, a passionate advocate and researcher in the field of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Dr. Curran shares his unique journey into the world of FASD, revealing the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of prenatal alcohol exposure and its profound impacts on child welfare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl7c_YifT2I

FASD Hub Scotland and FASD Hub UK - Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family Thrive with Barb Clark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLY_FdqdV8g

PCA Families - Practical Strategies for FASD
FASD Essentials part II: Practical Strategies for daily life presented by Prue Walker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWcBXtrVQuY

FASDSUCCESS - Turning Sh*% Into Rocket Fuel: Advocacy, Human Rights, and Real-Life Wins with Melissa Dobson
What if the things that keep knocking you down — the school meetings, the misunderstandings, the sleepless nights weren’t signs you’re failing, but proof you’re fighting for your family in systems that weren’t built for them?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewds-c_g4A0

Radio Kraków - FASD doesn't go away with age. About children and adults without support
In this episode, we discuss why diagnosing FASD is so difficult—in both children and adults. What does the diagnostic process look like in Poland? What challenges do parents face (emotion regulation, difficulties at school, impulsivity)? And what happens when FASD remains undiagnosed until adulthood—impacting relationships, work, independence, and mental health?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKKpAD1co0

 

RESEARCH
Health & Justice - A content analysis of caregiver perspectives on strengths and protective factors in youth with FASD and criminal legal system involvement
Findings contribute to a shared understanding of factors that promote overall wellbeing for youth with FASD and CLS involvement from a caregiver perspective.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40352-025-00371-3

IDEAS - Prenatal Conditions and Midlife Mental Health: Evidence from an Alcohol Policy Experiment
We estimate the long-term mental health impact of an alcohol policy experiment on individuals exposed to the policy in utero. The policy lasted for 8.5 months and significantly expanded access to alcohol, especially for those under age 21.
https://ideas.repec.org/p/hhs/vxesta/2025_002.html

Child & Family Social Work - The Lived Experiences of Adoptive and Foster Parents of Children With Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): A Systematic Review of Parental Stress, Social Networks and Social Support
This review explores the stress and social environments (social networks, social capital and social support) of foster and adoptive parents of children with FASD.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cfs.70096

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Regional cerebellum volume anomalies and associated cognitive function in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
A novel MRI method to evaluate cerebellum morphology in children with FASD suggests that PAE is associated with cerebellum anomalies in a regionally specific manner. The data also suggest that structural anomalies of the cerebellum may have functional consequences for important cognitive skills in children with FASD.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.70207

Drug and Alcohol Review - Application of a Minimum Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Threshold for Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review
Concerns have been raised that introducing a minimum PAE threshold could reduce FASD diagnoses. However, this study shows that applying the 2025 criteria retrospectively did not alter diagnostic outcomes for this specific cohort.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dar.70082

British Journal of General Practice - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): how primary care can make a difference
Around 4% of the UK population are living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) because of prenatal alcohol exposure. For a typical GP practice of 10 000 patients this means at least 400 people with FASD per practice.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cheryl-Mcquire/publication/398079262_Fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder_FASD_how_primary_care_can_make_a_difference/links/692ecea918a6405a30fa7678/Fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-FASD-how-primary-care-can-make-a-difference.pdf

Frontiers in Neuroscience - Differentiating Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from other neurodevelopmental disorders: neurocognitive and socio-emotional evidence
Findings support the presence of a distinctive neurocognitive profile in FASD characterized by generalized cognitive deficits and domain-specific impairments (particularly in attention, memory, and executive functions).
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1716494/full

Cornell University - Prenatal alcohol exposure and child cognition: semi-continuous exposures, causal inference and evidence synthesis
We address the challenge of causal inference status and the dose-response effects with a semi-continuous exposure. A two-stage approach is proposed using estimating equation for multiple outcomes with large sample properties derived for the resulting estimators.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.09237

bioRxiv - ACSS2 mediates prenatal alcohol exposure-related morphological and behavioral phenotypes
The metabolic enzyme Acetyl-CoA Synthetase 2 (ACSS2) recently emerged as an unexpected regulator of molecular and behavioral changes associated with alcohol use.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.26.690774v1.abstract

Children and Youth Services Review - Leveraging court appointed special advocates to improve outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system with prenatal alcohol exposure
This study is the first step in harnessing CASAs’ potential to address systemic child welfare challenges for children with PAE and has broader implications for CASAs’ potential in addressing multiple facets of child welfare reform.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740925005778

 

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Suchttherapie (Germany) - E-Learning für Fachkräfte zur Förderung der Alkoholabstinenz während der Schwangerschaft: Konzeption, Umsetzung und erste Erfahrungen
Das E-Learning wurde insgesamt gut angenommen und bewertet. Herausforderungen zeigen sich durch die heterogene Zielgruppe, so dass eine stärkere Anpassung an die unterschiedlichen Arbeitskontexte sinnvoll wäre.
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2557-5947

Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w Krakowie (Poland) - Problem braku systemowej pomocy dla dzieci z Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorde (FASD) i ich rodzin w Polsce
W rozdziale Doroty Kumorek omawiane są konsekwencje prenatalnej ekspozycji na alkohol, prowadzące do powstania Spektrum Płodowych Zaburzeń Alkoholowych (FASD).
https://monografie.upjp2.edu.pl/wn/catalog/book/178/chapter/829

Suomen Uutiset (Finland) - Antikainen: FASD-tutkimus saa rahoitusta
Valtiovarainvaliokunta sai valmiiksi mietinnön hallituksen esitykseen vuoden 2026 talousarviosta. Mietinnössä valiokunta päätti myös niin sanottujen joululahjarahojen kohdentamisesta ensi vuodelle.
https://www.suomenuutiset.fi/antikainen-fasd-tutkimus-saa-rahoitusta/

NDR (Germany) - "Hand in Hand": Alkohol in der Schwangerschaft - Noahs Leben mit FASD
Der dreijährige Noah hatte mehrere Promille Alkohol im Blut, als er zur Welt kam. Er ist körperlich und geistig geschädigt, sein junges Leben stark beeinträchtigt. Zusammen mit seinen Pflegeeltern hilft ihm der Mirower Verein "Querleben".
https://www.ndr.de/hand_in_hand_fuer_norddeutschland/hand-in-hand-alkohol-in-der-schwangerschaft-noahs-leben-mit-fasd,fasd-112.html

Alcohol News - 50/2025

GOV.UK (UK) - Five festive mistakes you didn’t know you were making: MHRA urges the public to be merry, not risky – don’t mix medicines with alcohol
As festive celebrations get underway, many people reach for both seasonal drinks and common winter remedies – a combination that can lead to dangerous and unexpected effects.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/five-festive-mistakes-you-didnt-know-you-were-making-mhra-urges-the-public-to-be-merry-not-risky-dont-mix-medicines-with-alcohol

ERR (Estonia) - Minstry abandons plans to permit 16-year-olds in service jobs to sell alcohol
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has abandoned plans to amend the Alcohol Act so that 16-year-olds would be able to work in jobs related to the production or sale of alcohol. Plans to allow employers to hire 13-year-olds to collect empty alcohol glasses have also been scrapped.
https://news.err.ee/1609883207/minstry-abandons-plans-to-permit-16-year-olds-in-service-jobs-to-sell-alcohol

The Conversation (USA) - Exposure to neighborhood violence leads some Denver teens to use tobacco and alcohol earlier, new study shows
High levels of neighborhood violence increase the risk of Latino and African American teens in Denver starting to use alcohol and tobacco, according to our recent study.
https://theconversation.com/exposure-to-neighborhood-violence-leads-some-denver-teens-to-use-tobacco-and-alcohol-earlier-new-study-shows-270412

News-Medical - Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption influence cancer risk
As Americans gear up for the holiday season, new research offers a timely reminder to reflect on the long-term health effects of raising a celebratory glass – or two. Alcohol is known to increase the risk of several cancers even at moderate levels.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20251211/Frequency-and-quantity-of-alcohol-consumption-influence-cancer-risk.aspx

Public Health Communication Centre (New Zealand) - Seasonal rises in alcohol-related harm and violence against women
The summer holidays should be a time for rest, celebration, and connection. But every year, increased alcohol consumption contributes to spikes in violence overwhelmingly inflicted by men against women, children, and young people.
https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/seasonal-rises-alcohol-related-harm-and-violence-against-women

belganewsagency.eu (Belgium) - Antwerp hospitals admit nearly 150 young people annually with acute alcohol intoxication
Nearly 150 young people end up in Antwerp’s emergency departments each year with acute alcohol intoxication, according to figures released on Thursday from a doctoral study at the University of Antwerp.
https://www.belganewsagency.eu/antwerp-hospitals-admit-nearly-150-young-people-annually-with-acute-alcohol-intoxication

Inside Higher Ed - Student Drinking Habits Informed by Parent Attitudes
Recent research from Washington State University finds that students who binge drink are more likely to be involved in Greek life or to have grown up with parents who were permissive about alcohol.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2025/12/12/study-student-alcohol-habits-informed-parent

PsyPost - Alcohol use disorder triggers a distinct immune response linked to neurodegeneration
New research published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity provides evidence that alcohol use disorder triggers a distinct type of immune response in the brain. The findings suggest that excessive alcohol consumption shifts the brain’s immune cells into a reactive state that ultimately damages neurons.
https://www.psypost.org/alcohol-use-disorder-triggers-a-distinct-immune-response-linked-to-neurodegeneration/

ScienceDaily - Even moderate drinking carries a bigger cancer risk than you think
Alcohol’s cancer risk is shaped by a powerful mix of biology, behavior, and social factors—often in ways people don’t expect.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100612.htm

NPR - Does one drink make you dizzy? Why alcohol hits us harder as we age
Once upon a time, a drink or two at a holiday party went down the hatch with no problems. Now, it's a recipe for misery the next morning. Sound familiar? Dr. Monica Christmas of the University of Chicago Medicine says it's a common lament as people enter middle age.
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/08/nx-s1-5610478/alcohol-age-drink

Alcohol Awareness (Norway) - Do you see the elephant in the room? Do not ignore it
Many families enjoy a drink or two during Christmas, whether it is a beer while cooking, a glass of wine during gifts or an aquavit after dinner. For most adults this feels completely normal. The problem appears when drinking leads to small but noticeable changes in behaviour.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2025/12/10/do-you-see-the-elephant-in-the-room-do-not-ignore-it/

Alcohol News - 49/2025

La Trobe University (Australia) - Report reveals scale of alcohol’s harm to others
Alcohol’s Harm to Others in Australia: Patterns, Costs, Disparities and Precipitants was compiled over six years and is the most comprehensive analysis to date of harm to people beyond the consumer.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2025/release/report-reveals-scale-of-alcohols-harm-to-others

Euractiv (EU) - ‘Reduced-alcohol’ wine labels to soon appear on EU shelves
The European Parliament and Council reached an agreement on Thursday on new measures to support the struggling wine sector, including a rebranding push for ‘de-alcoholised’ wines with clearer labels.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/reduced-alcohol-wine-labels-to-soon-appear-on-eu-shelves/

News-Medical - Clearer guidance needed for low- and no-alcohol drinks in pregnancy
A new UK study reveals that alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are now a go-to choice for pregnant women seeking safer social options. However, many remain uncertain about how safe they actually are, as guidance from healthcare professionals is still inconsistent.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20251204/Clearer-guidance-needed-for-low-and-no-alcohol-drinks-in-pregnancy.aspx

LSM (Latvia) - Alcohol, tobacco and energy drinks to become more expensive in Latvia
Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on Thursday, December 4th, supported amendments to the Excise Tax Law as part of its budget deliberations which will make alcoholic drinks more expensive in 2026.
https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/food-drink/04.12.2025-alcohol-tobacco-and-energy-drinks-to-become-more-expensive-in-latvia.a625013/

Public Health Communication Centre - Reconsidering our low-risk alcohol advice: The dark influence of the alcohol Industry
Growing expert consensus confirms there is no safe level of alcohol use for health. Large-scale studies now show that alcohol use increases the risk of many chronic diseases in a clear dose–response pattern, even at low levels of consumption.
https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/reconsidering-our-low-risk-alcohol-advice-dark-influence-alcohol-industry

News-Medical - 'Dry January' can lead to meaningful physical and psychological improvements
With the new year on the horizon and resolutions brewing, more people are saying cheers to a booze-free January, a choice that might come with some real health benefits and, ultimately, help some people cut back for good.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20251203/Dry-January-can-lead-to-meaningful-physical-and-psychological-improvements.aspx

Medpage Today - Alcohol Use, Lifestyle Factors Shape Breast Cancer Risk
In this exclusive video ahead of the upcoming San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), Seema Khan, MD, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, previews her session on alcohol use, metabolism, and lifestyle factors in breast cancer risk and recurrence, and outlines what clinicians can expect from the featured speakers.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/sabcs-vp-earlybrca/118822

Reuters (USA) - Are Americans drinking less? New data says yes, but not by much
Americans say they are drinking less alcohol than ever before. But new data shows the number of drinks U.S. adults have per week has in fact not changed by much for decades.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/are-americans-drinking-less-new-data-says-yes-not-by-much-2025-12-04/

EASL - On behalf of the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHHA), the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) welcomes the European Parliament’s decision to safeguard consumers by endorsing clear and accurate “reduced-alcohol” labelling
On behalf of the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHHA), the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) welcomes the European Parliament’s decision to safeguard consumers by endorsing clear and accurate “reduced-alcohol” labelling.
https://easl.eu/news/easl-welcomes-european-parliaments-decision-to-safeguard-consumers/

IAS Blog (UK) - Alcohol deaths fall in England for first time since pandemic
Alcohol-specific and -related deaths have fallen in England for the first time since huge rises after the pandemic.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/alcohol-deaths-fall-in-england-for-first-time-since-pandemic/

University of Sheffield - Advancing alcohol policy modelling by integrating alcohol dependence
When it comes to understanding how alcohol policies affect health and social outcomes in the population, models can be powerful tools. They help us predict how changes in policy, like pricing or treatment for alcohol dependence, might influence alcohol consumption, health outcomes, and social harms.
https://sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/blog/advancing-alcohol-policy-modelling-by-integrating-alcohol-dependence/

NordAN - New Nordic health report shows worsening diets, rising overweight and persistent inequalities
A new edition of the Nordic Monitoring report, NORMO 2025, paints a troubling picture of health behaviours across the Nordic region. The data, released this week by the Nordic Council of Ministers, shows that people in the Nordic countries are eating more unhealthy foods, moving less, and experiencing record levels of overweight.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/new-nordic-health-report-shows-worsening-diets-rising-overweight-and-persistent-inequalities

Åbo Akademi University (Finland) - Persistent gaps in mental health and alcohol use between sexual minorities and heterosexuals
Previous research has repeatedly shown that sexual minority individuals report worse mental health than heterosexual individuals. These differences are, for example, observable so that sexual minority individuals report more symptoms of depression and anxiety, consume more alcohol, and experience more sexuality-related distress.
https://www.abo.fi/en/news/persistent-gaps-in-mental-health-and-alcohol-use-between-sexual-minorities-and-heterosexuals/

NordAN (Finland) - Sports Mehiläinen study: One in four athletes use substances to relax, are coaches and athletes living in different realities when it comes to substance use?
A study conducted by Sports Mehiläinen* shows that Finnish athletes use substances to relax and manage stress. The findings suggest that sports clubs and coaches are not well equipped to identify or intervene in substance use.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/sports-mehil%C3%A4inen-study-one-in-four-athletes-use-substances-to-relax-are-coaches-and-athletes-livi

NordAN (Denmark) - Alcohol makes brain hemorrhages strike younger and harder
PhD student from Aarhus is behind internationally noted research showing that three daily drinks significantly increase the risk of larger and more severe brain hemorrhages.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/alcohol-makes-brain-hemorrhages-strike-younger-and-harder

Alcohol News - 48/2025

The Conversation - Men’s drinking harms women and children, and the impact is worst in poorer countries
Drinking alcohol is known to be harmful to people’s health. It’s also known to be harmful in other ways.
https://theconversation.com/mens-drinking-harms-women-and-children-and-the-impact-is-worst-in-poorer-countries-269618

ABC News (Australia) - Calls for states to change alcohol laws ahead of women’s ministers meeting
States and territories must answer for being too slow to amend alcohol regulations at today's women's ministers meeting, family and sexual violence prevention advocates say.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-28/alcohol-delivery-violence-against-women-children-ministers/106075170

The Conversation - 8 ways to drink less during the silly season
December is a perfect storm for anyone trying to cut back on drinking. Between end-of-year deadlines, work parties, family gatherings and school events, alcohol is suddenly everywhere.
https://theconversation.com/8-ways-to-drink-less-during-the-silly-season-270298

Radio Prague International (Czechia) - Czechia rolls out new screening to tackle rising alcohol and addiction risks
Czechia consistently ranks among the heaviest-drinking countries in Europe. A new addictology screening program aims to identify risky alcohol and tobacco use sooner and guide people to help before long-term harm develops.
https://english.radio.cz/czechia-rolls-out-new-screening-tackle-rising-alcohol-and-addiction-risks-8870025

The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Blood-alcohol threshold lowered in province surrounding Brussels
Starting tomorrow, prosecutors from Leuven and Halle-Vilvoorde (Flemish Brabant) will lower the blood alcohol limit required for immediate driving licence suspension to 0.35 g/l.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/1857271/blood-alcohol-threshold-lowered-in-province-surrounding-brussels

France 24 - Santé! A look at the rising popularity of non-alcoholic drinks
In this edition of Entre Nous, we look at the rising popularity of non-alcoholic drinks. Once reserved for Dry January or other detox moments, alcohol-free beer, wine and mocktails are becoming more of a lifestyle choice, particularly for members of Gen Z.
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/entre-nous/20251127-sante-a-look-at-the-rising-popularity-of-non-alcoholic-drinks

IAS Blog - Zero-alcohol products: a tool for moderation or a tool for growth?
Zero-alcohol products, which taste and appear as common alcoholic beverages but contain little or no alcohol, have become an increasingly popular choice. Recent findings suggest around a third of adults in Great Britain have at least tried them, with similar findings observed in a survey of Australian teenagers.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2025/11/26/zero-alcohol-products-a-tool-for-moderation-or-a-tool-for-growth/

IAS Blog (UK) - Alcohol duty to increase in line with inflation
At today’s Budget, the Chancellor announced that alcohol duty rates will be increased, to keep them in line with inflation.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/alcohol-duty-to-increase-in-line-with-inflation/

Movendi - Confronting the Commercial Drivers of Gendered Violence: Alcohol Policy as a Catalyst for Women’s Rights
Advancing women’s rights and safety means listening to the evidence and to the voices of women and communities who are experiencing the harm and are calling for action on alcohol harm and the practices of the alcohol industry.
https://movendi.ngo/newsletters/confronting-the-commercial-drivers-of-gendered-violence-alcohol-policy-as-a-catalyst-for-womens-rights/

Länderfokus (EU) - EU pushes for alcohol-free driving
The rules on drinking and driving vary across the EU. Denmark is lowering the tolerance limit and the Commission is planning a zero-alcohol regulation.
https://www.treffpunkteuropa.de/eu-pushes-for-alcohol-free-driving?lang=fr

YLE (Finland) - Booze delivered to your door in Finland? Not anytime soon
Handling of a controversial government bill regarding online alcohol sales and home delivery has been postponed until next year.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20196588

NordAN (Norway) - 6 in 10 have experienced drunk colleagues at the Christmas party
Christmas party season is well underway, and the alcohol-awareness organisation Av-og-til has a clear message. “The Christmas party is not the event where you should make a fool of yourself,” says Secretary General Ragnhild Kaski.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/6-in-10-have-experienced-drunk-colleagues-at-the-christmas-party

Alcohol Awareness (UK) - #LetsTalkAddiction this National Addiction Awareness Week 2025
The UK’s leading addiction campaign, Taking Action On Addiction, begins its 2025 week of action on 23 November. Created by the Forward Trust and launched by their Royal Patron, The Princess of Wales, the campaign is focused on getting the nation to talk about addiction.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2025/11/24/letstalkaddiction-this-national-addiction-awareness-week-2025/

FASD News - 47/2025

Globalization and Health - Do alcohol industry-funded organisations act to correct misinformation? A qualitative study of pregnancy and infant health content following independent analysis
Following independent public health analysis of their informational outputs, misinformation about pregnancy and infant health remains present on alcohol industry-funded websites. Warnings to the public to avoid alcohol industry-funded information sources should form an essential part of the global effort to tackle health misinformation.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-025-01125-4

Contemporary OB/GYN (USA) - 5% of people in the US have FASD and doctors must change how they diagnose it
Rajesh Miranda, PhD, explains how 5% of people have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/shorts/5-of-people-in-the-us-have-fasd-and-doctors-must-change-how-they-diagnose-it

Children's National Hospital - Researchers advance new drug development for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are among the most common preventable causes of developmental disability, affecting an estimated 2% to 5% of children in the United States and Western Europe.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/researchers-advance-new-drug-development-for-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders/

Now Habersham (USA) - Ossoff backs bipartisan bill to expand support for children with disabilities
Georgia’s U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is backing a bipartisan push to expand federal support for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, citing gaps in services for affected families in Georgia and across the country.
https://nowhabersham.com/ossoff-backs-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-support-for-children-with-disabilities/

Times of India - Scientists warn: Even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can permanently damage a baby’s brain
In a breakthrough, researchers at Texas A&M University have found that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause permanent brain damage in unborn babies.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/pregnancy/scientists-warn-even-small-amounts-of-alcohol-during-pregnancy-can-permanently-damage-a-babys-brain/articleshow/125079593.cms

RNZ (New Zealand) - Neurodivergent youth more likely to die before age of 25 than peers, study finds
Young people with a neurodevelopmental condition are five times more likely to die before the age of 25 than those without one, a study has found.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/577955/neurodivergent-youth-more-likely-to-die-before-age-of-25-than-peers-study-finds

Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada) - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a guideline for diagnosis across the lifespan
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/188/3/191/T1

CanFASD - Removing barriers: an FASD-informed approach to substance use treatment
Each year, National Addictions Awareness Week highlights solutions that help address the harms related to alcohol and other drugs. From November 16–22, Canadians are invited to learn more about prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
https://canfasd.ca/2025/11/17/removing-barriers-an-fasd-informed-approach-to-substance-use-treatment/

 

VIDEOS
FARR (Foundation for Alcohol Related Research) - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Behaviour Management
Welcome to the 5th video of our series, addressing key aspects related to FASD. In this video former FARR Researcher, Dr Jaco Louw discusses some general principles that can help with behavioural challenges faced by individuals living with FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svpJ7BiMEoM

FASDSUCCESS - Mental Health & FASD: Hope, Healing, and What We Can Do | Dr. Jackie Pei
In this powerful conversation, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Jackie Pei, senior researcher and psychologist with CANFASD, to unpack one of the most important and misunderstood parts of FASD — mental health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czvcBaY5FeE

Health Nexus Santé - FASD, COVID-19, and Aggression
The webinar presents new research updates on child-to-parent aggression in the home. Speakers Maude Champagne and Lauri Cabral will present current initiatives aimed at responding to childhood aggression towards family members in the context of FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5-AAX-dvQ4

Health Nexus Santé - FASD and Sleep (English)
The reasons for sleep difficulties in children with FASD and the potential impact of poor sleep on the child and family will be highlighted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpemUOlLp_s

Health Nexus Santé - FASD and Animal Assisted Services
In this presentation, the CFAS' National Director/CEO Joanne Moss and Social Worker Azra Alibhai will review latest evidence about animal assisted services and how they can ease anxiety and stress for individuals with FASD or other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BdIjay2XGo

FASDSUCCESS - The Brain–Gut Connection & FASD | Dr. Tamara Bodnar on Microbiome Science
In this fascinating (and funny) episode, Jeff Noble talks with Dr. Tamara Bodnar from UBC about her pioneering research on the gut–brain axis in FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCaaMqiIPxU

CanFASD - Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025: Runner Up - An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD
"An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD” is a short film by Reinier deSmit, recognized as the Third Runner-Up at the Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrW5DEJTMTk

CanFASD - The Story of AFECT - CanFASD's Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team
The Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team (AFECT) was developed to make sure the voices of those with FASD are included in the research process. It is a group of adults with FASD across Canada who meet monthly with CanFASD members to talk about FASD research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kUEficZnrM

CanFASD - Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025: Runner Up - Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD
"Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD" is a short film by FASD-Can, recognized as the Second Runner-Up at the Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nciXP_i293Y

FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - FASD United Policy Forum - October 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghlmw3J_Rkk

PCA Families - PCAF Intro to FASD 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Sov6kE0eI

FASDSUCCESS - From Fires to Foundations with the Freemans
What if you could hear the same family one year apart and actually feel the shift from chaos to connection? In this powerful before-and-after episode, Jeff revisits Angela Freeman and her two kids, Ruby and Elias.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bzDv7pWeOI

Your Biggest Breakthrough - Adoption, FASD, & Faith: How Joel Sheagren Turned Family Struggles into a God-Given Mission
We’ve got an episode today that’s going to stop you in your tracks. You’re going to meet Joel Sheagren, an award-winning filmmaker whose story feels like a movie itself, only this one’s real, raw, and full of God’s fingerprints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnlbdOwfPDc

Real Talk with Tina and Ann - Beyond Shame: Hearing “It’s Not Your Fault with RJ Formanek on Living with FASD part 2
We dig into life with FASD beyond labels: how shame warps identity, how routines protect mornings, and why late-blooming brains change everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2oCu6N_tDs

 

RESEARCH
University of Alberta - Mental Health Professionals' Competence and Current Practices Responding to Suicidality in Individuals with FASD
People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience elevated rates of mental health challenges compared to the general population. Of particular concern are the elevated rates of suicidality consistently reported among people with FASD.
https://ualberta.scholaris.ca/items/cb85f6aa-845f-4452-927c-eac2957152d2

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Renal and cardiovascular function in children with FASD: Potential links to food approach and avoidance behaviors
Together, these findings suggest that renal and cardiovascular function may be altered in children and adolescents with FASD, which may be linked to abnormal food-related behaviors and/or other clinical or demographic factors.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41243430/

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - The Families Moving Forward Connect Teacher Companion website: Development and initial pilot randomized trial of an FASD-informed resource for teachers
The FMF Connect Teacher Companion website is a feasible, acceptable FASD-informed resource for teachers.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70189

BMC Oral Health - Exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and potential role of oral health practitioners in FASD screening in South Africa
The findings reveal substantial knowledge gaps among South African OHPs regarding FASD, but also indicate strong interest and readiness to advance their knowledge.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-025-07017-8

Adoption & Fostering - Perspectives of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnoses in children: The experiences of adoptive parents in Scotland
Caring for a child with FASD brings significant challenges, often driven by shortcomings in professional knowledge and services. Parents described their futures as highly uncertain, with mental health, social support and financial wellbeing reported as being precarious.
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/perspectives-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-diagnoses-in-chil/

Adoption Quarterly - Parenting Adopted Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Risk and Protective Factors
A higher prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been found among adopted children. This condition may pose significant challenges for their parents, potentially affecting their mental health.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10926755.2025.2583535

Česká Gynekologie - Determination of markers of ethyl alcohol consumption in pregnancy
This study confirms that EtG and EtS are reliable markers of ethanol exposure in meconium. However, we were unable to determine definitive cut off values for PAE based on these biomarkers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41170789/

Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Some Today, More Tomorrow: A Pilot Study on Delay Discounting in Adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Results provide preliminary discounting rates that can serve as a point of reference for future research on reward processing in FASD. Results additionally demonstrate the heterogeneity of FASD presentations on a measure of delay discounting.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41252-025-00467-9

Developmental Neuroscience - Abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Placental Insufficiency in a Preclinical Model
While all areas analyzed were impacted by the prenatal insults, the striatum, which consists primarily of efferent pathways, appears more vulnerable to injury compared to the PFC.
https://karger.com/dne/article/doi/10.1159/000549504/939215/Abnormal-Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging-in-the-Medial

BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health - Role of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy in early-life child neurodevelopment: results of the Italian PHIME cohort
Low levels of PAE were not associated with neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 months, except for possible motor impairment at higher exposures: our findings highlight the predominant influence of maternal IQ and the home environment.
https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2025/11/10/bmjnph-2025-001313

Neuropharmacology - Prenatal alcohol exposure induces circular and linear long non-coding RNAs, and protein-coding genes linked to proinflammatory neuroimmune function, promoting nerve injury-induced allodynia following morphine treatment
This study characterized spinal transcriptomics and explored potential roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) underlying this paradoxical effect of morphine in PAE mice.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390825004642

NeuroMarkers - This review summarizes advances in the literature on microRNAs as
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders constitute a range of physical and cognitive abnormalities in newborn infants that are caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950588725001089

BMC psychiatry - Association of prenatal alcohol exposure and prenatal depressive symptoms with offspring hair cortisol in childhood and adolescence
The present study provides further evidence of long-term effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the HPA axis development of the child, as manifested in distinct trajectories of HCC from primary school age to early adolescence.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-025-07559-9

Journal of Medical Science, Biology, and Chemistry - Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intimate Partner Violence among Women Who Use Alcohol During Pregnancy in Plateau State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Partner violence and alcohol use disorder among pregnant women are recognised as major public health problems worldwide, particularly in Africa.
https://journals.stecab.com/jmsbc/article/view/1015

Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders - Talking to Your Patients About Alcohol, Marijuana, and Substance Use During Pregnancy
The Psychiatric Consultation Service at Massachusetts General Hospital sees medical and surgical inpatients with comorbid psychiatric symptoms and conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41248008/

Journal of Addictions and Offender Councelling - “I Wouldn't for Myself; I'm Quitting for Her”: Pregnant Hispanic Mothers’ SUD and Trauma Experiences
Pregnant Hispanic women face compounded risks of substance use disorder (SUD) and trauma exposure, yet little research explores their resilience and coping from a strengths-based lens.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jaoc.70008

BMJ Public Health - Alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Scotland following public health interventions: population-based study
One in four women self-reported alcohol consumption during early pregnancy. Only MUP was associated with lower consumption among pregnant women. The public health measures were collectively associated with improvement in select perinatal outcomes, highlighting the potential effectiveness of universal interventions.
https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/e003264

European Journal of Public Health - The use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in pregnancy in the UK
Although alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are commonly consumed during pregnancy, there are some safety concerns. Their role as a harm reduction measure in those who are drinking alcohol at increasing risk levels prepregnancy needs further investigation.
https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf188/8317086

 

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
thesis.unipd.it (Italy) - L' astinenza neonatale da alcol: efficacia degli interventi non farmacologici
La gestione non farmacologica della NAS dovuta all’esposizione prenatale all’alcol si afferma come una pratica efficace e sostenibile, ottenendo benefici clinici per il neonato e per il contesto assistenziale.
https://thesis.unipd.it/handle/20.500.12608/97311

Krajowe Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnienom KCPU (Poland) - Rozum (1): Zrozumienie perspektywy dziecka z FASD
Film edukacyjny dla kandydatów na rodziców adopcyjnych oraz rodzin zastępczych niezawodowych w zakresie FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efNsET9DwQ

FASD TSAF (Switzerland) - Un cordiale benvenuto!
Sono aperte le iscrizioni alla formazione di base per chi, nell’ambito della propria attività professionale, si trova a contatto con persone colpite da disturbi dello spettro alcolico fetale (FASD). Il corso, organizzato in collaborazione con Fachverband Sucht, è aperto a tutte le professioni.
https://fasd-schweiz.ch/index.php/it/

Vinmonopolet (Norway) - Alkoholinntak under amming og graviditet
På denne sida finn du informasjon om alkoholinntak under graviditet og amming.
https://www.vinmonopolet.no/fag/artikler/alkoholinntak-under-amming-og-graviditet