FASD News - 5/2026

Mental Health Commission of Canada - From Diagnosis to Dignity: Rethinking Support for People with FASD
Dr. Melissa Dobson calls herself a reluctant “snowplow mom” – a term for people who actively engage with teachers and administrators at school to remove obstacles for their children.
https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/from-diagnosis-to-dignity-rethinking-support-for-people-with-fasd/

European FASD Alliance - New Educational Videos on FASD
The Research Group “Implicación del Balance Oxidativo en la Salud: Alcoholismo y Síndrome Metabólico” (CTS-193) – IBOSAM at the University of Seville has released two new educational animation videos focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://www.eufasd.org/news/new-educational-videos-on-fasd/

London Free Press (Canada) - Using puppets, group aims to teach kids about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Four renowned Canadian puppeteers are in London this week shooting a video series aimed at raising awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/using-puppets-group-aims-to-teach-kids-about-fetal-alcohol-syndrome

newsday.co.za (South Africa) - Critical South African NGO forced to close its doors
The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) has been forced to shut down by May 2026 due to a lack of funding for its work.
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/14996/critical-south-african-ngo-forced-to-close-its-doors/

Health Digest (USA) - The Trump Admin's New Alcohol Guidelines Cause Confusion And The Health Effects Could Be Dire
According to reporting from Newsweek, on January 7, 2026, the Trump administration released new dietary advice to the American public. And as part of these recommendations, came some alterations in alcohol consumption guidelines that have public health experts doing a double-take.
https://www.healthdigest.com/2074059/trump-admin-new-alcohol-guidelines-confusion-health-effects-dire/

Cree Health - LOOK BEYOND FASD
Alcohol is a known teratogen. A teratogen is a substance that disturbs the development of an embryo or fetus by changing the DNA at any point during the 40 weeks of pregnancy.
https://creehealth.org/look-beyond-fasd

FASD United - The FASD Self-Advocate Guide
Work with yourself, not against. This guide is carefully crafted to be empowering, interactive, and useful. It is designed to help individuals with PAE recognize their worth and understand more about themselves and experiences with FASD.
https://fasdunited.org/the-fasd-self-advocate-guide/

  

VIDEOS
FASDSUCCESS - FASD and Mental Health: Dr. Carly McMorris
In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble talks with Dr. Carly McMorris, clinical psychologist, associate professor at the University of Calgary, and one of Canada’s top FASD researchers, about one of the most urgent and misunderstood topics in the FASD world: mental health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtKaUConjq4

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - FASD: More Than IQ
Many people with FASD have days when we do better than on other days: we remember more, we accomplish more, etc. Because people can't "see" our disabilities, our best days become the measure of our potential, no matter if that level of performance had been an outlier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9FDE9GxBaM

FASDSUCCESS - FASD and Adulthood: Why Independence Is the Wrong Goal
In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Chris Fillion, an adult on the FASD spectrum, advocate, and leader who is living proof that success does not require total independence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irjoE-iwiS0

CanFASD - FASD Housing Solutions – Part 2 Putting our Knowledge into Action
Discover how insights from the CHOoSE research initiative were transformed into the CHOoSE Housing Website – a practical, innovative resource designed to support individuals with FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei174ML6ydQ

New Jersey Self-Advocacy Program - Invisible Sentences: FASD, Stigma, and the Overlooked Connection to Incarceration
Invisible and Incarcerated explores how Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are often misunderstood or completely overlooked, and how this can push young people from school challenges into discipline, punishment, and eventually the justice system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GMejEY1hDE

FASD United - FASD United Policy Forum - December 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-w2JSfsPhc

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Understanding Perseveration in FASD with Tami Eller
In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti and guest Tami Eller discuss the complexities of living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), focusing on the concept of perseveration, which refers to the tendency to get stuck on certain thoughts or activities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0aNsRrR_Oc

Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York - Workshop 3A: Quirking It With Fetal Alcohol with Rebecca Tillou
This presentation will take the audience through Rebecca’s adoptee journey to discovering who her birth mom was, and her addiction. It will discuss Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which are two and a half times as common as Autism in the United States, and known as an invisible disability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOsY4uaCWaY

Alan Price - FASD and early life adversity webinar with Alan Price
Webinar delivered for the Voice of the Families group, Monday 19th January 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRokP0kWszU

FASD Florida Center - FASD Collective - Shifts That Work: Thinking differently when they are raging, lying, or stealing
When thinking about lying, raging, and stealing, our caregivers have some tips that helped them navigate through the tough times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1ogtiFIico

Justice For Orphans - The AFCJ Podcast - Ep. 514 - Nutrition Series with Dr. Jerrod Brown - Part 2: FASD
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, brings you the second part in her 4-part series on Nutrition with Dr. Jerrod Brown. Today Dr. Brown unpacks the vital role nutrition plays in the brain and body of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeh6Hw6sjxI

NEXUS TALES - What alcohol does to you during pregnancy FASD
Alcohol does a lot to a child (fetus) during pregnancy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgODUBaUodw

 

RESEARCH
Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care - Diagnosis across the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) continuum
This narrative review examines recent advances in the clinical diagnosis of FASD and highlights areas for future research aimed at improving diagnostic precision.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1538544225001853

Public Health Reports - Foster Care Status and the Timing of Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in a Medicaid Sample
Children in foster care had substantial delays in diagnosis compared with children not in foster care. Initial access to behavioral assessment appears equitable; however, barriers exist in the progression from assessment to diagnosis for children in foster care.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00333549251403892

medRxiv - Changes in neuronal genes in prenatally alcohol-exposed placentas correlate with neuropsychological traits at the age of six
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) disrupts embryonic development and gives rise to a variable fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) phenotype characterized by neurodevelopmental and dysmorphological defects.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.21.26344516v2

Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction - Prenatal alcohol exposure and sonographic abnormalities: Insights from a retrospective cohort
Ultrasound anomalies were found in one-third of alcohol-exposed pregnancies, underscoring the risks of chronic alcohol use.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468784726000218

Drug and Alcohol Dependence - Caregiver-reported evaluation for and diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the United States
These nationally representative, caregiver-reported estimates for children with an FASD diagnosis are lower than those from active case ascertainment studies, suggesting efforts are needed to improve the screening, evaluation, and diagnosis process for children suspected of an FASD.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871626000360

Available at SSRN - Needs of Professionals Working with Individuals with FASD in Catalonia (Spain)
Prenatal alcohol exposure is one of the main preventable causes of developmental disorders and health anomalies in children. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term that encompasses a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioural impairments.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6030950

University of Edinburgh - Dual psychometric evaluation of measures assessing attitudes towards prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Results indicate that both measures, when used at the total-scale level, can acceptably assess attitudes towards PAE and FASD. Revisions are required at the item-level to further improve subfactor internal consistency and minimise ceiling effect likelihood.
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/dual-psychometric-evaluation-of-measures-assessing-attitudes-towa/

Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care - The evaluation and care of children with suspected fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the pediatric medical home: The importance of therapeutic alliance, longitudinal surveillance and trauma-informed care
The evaluation and management of children with prenatal alcohol exposure and suspected fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) requires a multidisciplinary approach, grounded in the pediatric medical home.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1538544225001865

BMC Public Health - Safe start, a hybrid intervention to reduce alcohol exposed pregnancies: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) increases the risk for serious adverse birth outcomes and long-term neurodevelopmental, physical, and mental health outcomes, known under the umbrella term of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-26044-2

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - Comparative Characteristics of Morphometric Changes in the Brain Tissue Caused by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Hypoxia
According to current knowledge, hypoxia is a key mechanism mediating the detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the nervous tissue. However, comparative analysis of these interrelated conditions has only been partially addressed.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10517-026-06568-2

 

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Chaos im Kopf Podcast - Dein FASD Podcast (Germany) - Sexuelle Bildung und FASD (C91)
Sexualität ist ein Menschenrecht – doch gerade im Kontext FASD herrscht oft Sprachlosigkeit, Scham und Überforderung. In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Sabine Stein, Fachkraft für sexuelle Bildung, über die Besonderheiten sexueller Bildung bei Menschen mit fetalen Alkoholspektrumstörungen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iixWpu9_EJE

 

Alcohol News - 5/2026

Alcohol and Cancer (EU) - European code against cancer updated, alcohol advice now says “avoid”
Europe’s best-known public cancer prevention checklist has been updated, and one recommendation has clearly toughened. In the new European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5), the guidance on alcohol now reads: “Avoid alcoholic drinks.” The previous edition advised people who drink to limit their intake, while noting that not drinking is better for cancer prevention.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/editorial-january-2026

The Guardian (UK) - One in four adults in England do not drink alcohol, survey finds
One in four adults in England do not drink alcohol, with increasing numbers of men and young people deciding to stay sober, according to a survey.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/27/one-in-four-adults-in-england-do-not-drink-alcohol

TVP World (Poland) - Ski slope sobriety: Most Poles back on-piste alcohol ban
Most Poles want alcohol banned on ski slopes as concerns grow over drunk skiers and resort safety, a new survey has found.
https://tvpworld.com/91235555/new-survey-80-of-poles-in-favor-of-alcohol-ban-on-ski-slopes

Travel Tomorrow (Belgium) - Brussels-based Jill Hotel becomes Belgium’s first to ban alcoholic drinks from its menu
Jill Hotel Brussels, located in the Saint-Gilles neighbourhood, has made the decision to no longer include any alcoholic beverages in its menu. The hotel thereby becomes the first in Belgium to opt for a 0% approach.
https://traveltomorrow.com/brussels-based-jill-hotel-becomes-belgiums-first-to-ban-alcoholic-drinks-from-its-menu/

CAMH (Canada) - Alcohol causes more harm in Canada than any other drug national expert study finds
A new Canada-wide scientific assessment has found that alcohol causes more harm overall than any other drug in the country—ranking far above tobacco, opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis.
https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/rsch-alcohol-causes-more-harm-in-canada-than-any-other-drug-national-expert-study-finds

RNZ (New Zealand) - Alcohol consumption 'way too high' in NZ - health expert
A public health expert has painted a sobering picture of the impacts of alcohol on society, saying consumption needs to reduce drastically.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/585443/alcohol-consumption-way-too-high-in-nz-health-expert

Alcohol Action Ireland  (Ireland) - 43,000 young people aged 15-24 in Ireland living with alcohol dependence as youth drinking levels continue to surge – new report
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, has published an updated edition of its dial-moving report into youth drinking in Ireland, ‘Youth drinking in Ireland: What’s the real picture?’
https://alcoholireland.ie/press-release-43000-young-people-aged-15-24-in-ireland-living-with-alcohol-dependence-as-youth-drinking-levels-continue-to-surge-new-report/

BBC (UK) - Navy introduces new alcohol limits for sailors while on ship
The Royal Navy has tightened the rules of alcohol use aboard its ships to a maximum of 14 units a week per sailor.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8e5293dp6ro

IAS Blog (UK) - FOI documents show how alcohol industry pressure forced marketing restrictions out of NHS health plan
Analysis of Freedom of Information (FOI) documents released today reveals how alcohol companies and industry-funded bodies mounted a coordinated lobbying campaign to force the removal of alcohol marketing restrictions from England’s 10 Year Health Plan – an NHS strategy intended to improve the nation’s health.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/foi-documents-show-how-alcohol-industry-pressure-forced-marketing-restrictions-out-of-nhs-health-plan/

NordAN (Finland) - Even small amounts of alcohol impair sleep, binge drinking has longer effects
Professor of addiction medicine Solja Niemelä says that even a couple of servings of alcohol change the structure of sleep, making it more superficial. Poor sleep leads to tiredness the next day and difficulty concentrating. Binge drinking affects sleep for even longer, up to several days.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/even-small-amounts-of-alcohol-impair-sleep-binge-drinking-has-longer-effects

Alcohol and Cancer - How does lifetime alcohol consumption affect colorectal cancer risk?
A large U.S. cancer screening trial shows that consistent heavy drinking across adulthood and higher average lifetime alcohol intake significantly increase the risk of colorectal cancer — especially rectal cancer. Importantly, people who quit drinking did not show elevated risk, suggesting that stopping alcohol use may help reduce long‑term cancer risk.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/how-does-lifetime-alcohol-consumption-affect-colorectal-cancer-risk

Alcohol and Cancer - Drinking less could prevent cancer deaths: study
Reducing annual alcohol consumption in Australia by one litre a person could significantly lower deaths from several major cancers, particularly among older Australians, a new study led by La Trobe University has found.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/drinking-less-could-prevent-cancer-deaths-study

Alcohol Awareness (Poland) - Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces launch blunt warning on alcohol and responsibility
A new public awareness spot from Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces delivers a blunt message about alcohol and responsibility. Rather than portraying alcohol as a harmless way to unwind, the campaign describes it as a switch that shuts down reflexes, sound judgement and awareness.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/01/23/polands-territorial-defence-forces-launch-blunt-warning-on-alcohol-and-responsibility/

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA) - National Academies Proposes Alcohol Prohibition for Maritime Crews
The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will convene an ad hoc committee to prepare an assessment that will inform public policies concerning the possession and consumption of alcohol by crew members and other personnel aboard commercial vessels of the United States.
https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DBASSE-BBCSS-23-02

Alcohol News - 4/2026

The Brussels Times - EU silence on alcohol’s role in violence undermines women’s safety
Despite clear scientific evidence showing that alcohol is a significant risk factor for violence against women, this connection is consistently overlooked in EU-level political discussions.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/1929393/eu-silence-on-alcohols-role-in-violence-undermines-womens-safety

The Times Of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan) - Kyrgyzstan Increases Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Sweetened Beverages
The Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers has approved a rise in excise tax rates on alcoholic beverages and sugar-containing drinks, including children’s juices, as part of a broader phased tax reform strategy
https://timesca.com/kyrgyzstan-increases-excise-taxes-on-alcohol-and-sweetened-beverages/

Le Figaro (France) - Giving Up Alcohol at 25: “It Brought Me Something Drinking Never Did”
More and more young adults are choosing to quit drinking alcohol — without giving up partying. From family dinner tables to rugby locker rooms, they are questioning a social norm long considered indisputable and redefining the boundaries of conviviality.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/en/giving-up-alcohol-at-25-it-brought-me-something-drinking-never-did-20260121

News-Medical - Alcohol-free drinks may reduce harm, if marketing loopholes stop
As alcohol-free drinks surge in popularity, a new analysis in BMJ warns that without strong regulation and a focus on real substitution, these products could widen inequalities and undermine proven alcohol control measures.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260119/Alcohol-free-drinks-may-reduce-harm-if-marketing-loopholes-stop.aspx

Rutgers University - How Cutting Back or Cutting Out Alcohol Affects Your Health
Giving up or reducing alcohol consumption, even for a short time, can reap major health benefits, said Marilyn Piccirillo, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and a faculty member of the Addiction Research Center at Rutgers Brain Health Institute.
https://www.rutgers.edu/news/how-cutting-back-or-cutting-out-alcohol-affects-your-health

NL Times (Netherlands) - New King's Day strategy: Amsterdam cracks down on illegal street parties, alcohol sales
Mayor Femke Halsema announced several measures on Wednesday to make the celebration of King’s Day in Amsterdam safer and more enjoyable. For years, Amsterdam has faced massive crowds and hard-to-control festivities during King’s Day, particularly in the city center.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/01/22/new-kings-day-strategy-amsterdam-cracks-illegal-street-parties-alcohol-sales

La Trobe University - Drinking less could prevent cancer deaths: study
Reducing annual alcohol consumption in Australia by one litre a person could significantly lower deaths from several major cancers, particularly among older Australians, a new study led by La Trobe University has found.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2026/release/drinking-less-could-prevent-cancer-deaths-study

Nation Thailand (Thailand) - Health ministry pushes tighter alcohol controls near educational sites
Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has drafted a regulation to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in and around educational institutions, including nearby dormitories.
https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/policy/40061391

IAS Blog (England) - Has England’s drinking returned to “normal”?
At the beginning of 2020, an unprecedented shock occurred: the COVID-19 pandemic. With pubs closed, daily life disrupted, and many people under severe stress, initial studies showed an increase in risky alcohol consumption in England.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/20/has-englands-drinking-returned-to-normal/

Movendi - Big Alcohol Exposed 2025: New Report Reveals Coordinated Interference Patterns Across Policy, Markets, and Public Debate
The Big Alcohol Exposed Report 2025 reveals how alcohol corporations, their front groups, and lobbyists intensified coordinated political interference, market shaping, and narrative control throughout 2025 as commercial pressure mounted and social norms shifted.
https://movendi.ngo/news-stories/big-alcohol-exposed-2025-new-report-reveals-coordinated-interference-patterns-across-policy-markets-and-public-debate/

NordAN (Norway) - White January: Do not give up even if you slipped this weekend
The third Monday in January is often referred to as “the worst day of the year”, because motivation drops and old habits easily take over after New Year. “The health benefits do not disappear even if you drank this weekend,” says Secretary General Ragnhild Kaski of the alcohol-awareness organisation Av-og-til.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/white-january-do-not-give-up-even-if-you-slipped-this-weekend

PopNAD (Sweden) - Between tradition and transformation: Alcohol and youth celebrations in Sweden
A generation that drinks less but still drinks when traditions say so. This article explores how young Swedes today engage with alcohol, highlighting both long-standing traditions and the ways drinking habits are changing.
https://nordicwelfare.org/popnad/en/artiklar/between-tradition-and-transformation-alcohol-and-youth-celebrations-in-sweden/

Alcohol Awareness (Poland) - Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces launch blunt warning on alcohol and responsibility
A new public awareness spot from Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces delivers a blunt message about alcohol and responsibility. Rather than portraying alcohol as a harmless way to unwind, the campaign describes it as a switch that shuts down reflexes, sound judgement and awareness.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/01/23/polands-territorial-defence-forces-launch-blunt-warning-on-alcohol-and-responsibility/

Alcohol News - 3/2026

InSight+ - The uncomfortable truth about alcohol
Despite reductions in consumption, particularly among young people, Australia has seen a rise in alcohol-related harms and avoidable costs. To decrease alcohol’s enormous burden on individuals, families and communities, it is important that all drinkers ease their alcohol consumption, not just heavy drinkers and other risk groups.
https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2026/1/the-uncomfortable-truth-about-alcohol/

World Health Organization (WHO) - Global report on the use of alcohol taxes, 2025
This report provides an assessment of taxes applied to alcoholic beverages at the global level. It qualitatively compares their design and provides estimates of standardized metrics to compare tax levels between countries, it is a second in a series since first publication in 2023.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240118928

UN News - Increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol to save lives, urges WHO
Beverages like sugary drinks and alcohol are too accessible and cost too little in most of the world – helping fuel obesity, diabetes, cancer and injury, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166754

NL Times (Netherlands) - Reduced alcohol consumption could prevent 427 cancer diagnoses per year
A modest reduction in alcohol consumption could have a significant impact on cancer rates in the Netherlands. IKNL estimates that cutting intake by just two drinks per week could prevent over 11,500 cancer diagnoses by 2050, equivalent to an average of 427 fewer cases each year.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/01/13/reduced-alcohol-consumption-prevent-427-cancer-diagnoses-per-year

Euronews.com - European men in their 30s most at risk of alcohol-related fatal injuries
Men are nearly six times more likely than women to die from alcohol-related self-harm, as people in their 30s emerge as the most vulnerable age range.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/14/european-men-in-their-30s-most-at-risk-of-alcohol-related-fatal-injuries

CBC (Canada) - We started drinking more during the pandemic — and that habit hasn't changed much, a new survey finds
Many people are starting 2026 off by marking Dry January and swearing off alcohol for the first month of the year. But new research is raising concerns about how much Canadians are drinking.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canadians-post-pandemic-drinking-habits-9.7042254

The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Belgian police call for 'weekend without alcohol and drugs behind the wheel'
The federal police have announced a "Weekend without alcohol and drugs behind the wheel," which will take place from Friday at 6 pm to Monday at 6 am.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/1919856/belgian-police-call-for-weekend-without-alcohol-and-drugs-behind-the-wheel

Daily Mail (UK) - Labour considers ban on under-18s buying non-alcoholic drinks in pubs over fears it's a 'gateway' to boozing
Labour is considering a ban on under-18s buying non-alcoholic drinks in pubs amid fears it is a 'gateway' to full-on boozing.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15463615/Labour-ban-18s-buying-non-alcoholic-drinks-pubs.html

www.polskieradio.pl (Poland) - Survey shows widespread alcohol use in Poland, growing support for ad curbs
A nationwide survey shows that 84% of adult Poles consume alcohol, with 28% drinking at least once a week, 30% several times a week, and 18% a few times a year.
https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7786/Artykul/3634342,survey-shows-widespread-alcohol-use-in-poland-growing-support-for-ad-curbs

Diario AS - José Manuel Felices, doctor: “When you drink alcohol you lose the ability to create new memories”
There are those who feel that if a drink is not alcoholic, the toast somehow lacks magic; that alcohol adds sensation to the glass and that drinking lifts the spirit. The holiday season helps feed the myth. But the reader should know that, in the search for absolute pleasure, they may drown their awareness under disco lights – or fail to remember which guitar song they thrashed while trying to let their feet run free.
https://en.as.com/latest_news/jose-manuel-felices-doctor-when-you-drink-alcohol-you-lose-the-ability-to-create-new-memories-f202601-n/

EWN (South Africa) - Alcohol kills 62,000 people in SA every year: Time to hike taxes, drive down demand?
Treasury wants to hike alcohol taxes to curb drinking. The industry warns of illicit booze. Health experts say the real problem isn’t price – it’s weak enforcement and a staggering death toll.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/01/13/alcohol-kills-62-000-people-in-sa-every-year-time-to-hike-taxes-drive-down-demand

The BMJ - How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?
Sales of alcohol-free and low alcohol (nolo) drinks have increased substantially over recent years, driven by improved manufacturing techniques and consumer demand for better and healthier alternatives to alcoholic drinks. Nolo drinks have obvious potential to improve public health, depending on who drinks them, to what extent, and in which contexts.
https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-086563

PennLive - Report: Facebook no longer recommending wine, beer, spirits businesses
The ability to promote a wine, beer, and spirits-related business has just gotten tougher, according to a writer who covers the industry in the Pacific Northwest.
https://www.pennlive.com/food/2026/01/report-facebook-no-longer-recommending-wine-beer-spirits-businesses.html

FASD News - 2/2026

EUFASD - The call for papers is open (until January 19, 2026)
Authors are invited to submit abstracts to be considered for the 8th European Conference on FASD. All submissions must be made electronically via the submission form on the congress home page.
https://eufasd2026.com/call-of-paper.html

Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Thousands of alcohol products still without 'mandatory' pregnancy warnings, study finds
Amanda was four months pregnant before she realised she was expecting a baby. The Gold Coast mum-to-be had been drinking a couple of glasses of wine each night, but her doctor brushed off her concerns.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-10/mums-drank-pregnancy-alcohol-warning-labels/106154908

NorthernIrelandWorld (Northern Ireland) - Alison McNamara: tribute to Kinallen resident who was 'driving force' behind FASD charity
Councillor Tim McClelland paid tribute to Alison McNamara, a Kinallen lady and the founder of charity ‘FASD Awareness NI’, at Monday night’s (December 15) ABC Council meeting.
https://www.northernirelandworld.com/news/people/alison-mcnamara-tribute-to-kinallen-resident-who-was-driving-force-behind-fasd-charity-5445910

BBC (UK) - Hundreds tell BBC of adopted children's struggles amid calls for lifelong support
Hundreds of parents have contacted the BBC about their struggles with getting support for adopted children - as charities call for a government review.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrj0vxnxqjo

Le Monde (France) - When the damage caused by alcohol begins in utero
Drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can trigger more or less severe neurodevelopmental and growth disorders. Recent studies also show that fathers' alcohol consumption prior to conception may play a harmful role as well.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/science/article/2026/01/10/when-the-damage-caused-by-alcohol-begins-in-utero_6749290_10.html

Bright Futures (USA) - How Common Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the U.S.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the U.S. falls under a broader category known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), which includes partial FAS and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND).
https://brightfuturestreatmentnj.com/how-common-is-fetal-alcohol-syndrome-in-the-u-s/

CanFASD (Canada) - 2025 Year in Review
As we wrap up 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the progress and impact CanFASD has made over the past year. From hosting webinars, to publishing research to launching a new fund, we’ve worked hard to bring important information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to our community and beyond.
https://canfasd.ca/2025/12/31/2025-year-in-review/

CanFASD - “Research has real consequences in people’s lives”: An Interview with Shannon Butt
Last October, Shannon Butt attended the Canada FASD Conference as a supported participant through the Lived Experience Leadership Fund. In this interview, she shares why the experience was so meaningful – and why supporting lived experience matters.
https://canfasd.ca/2026/01/07/research-has-real-consequences-in-peoples-lives-an-interview-with-shannon-butt/

 

VIDEOS
FASDSUCCESS - FASD in Adults: New Research Reveals Aging Brain Changes
In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Valerie Temple to talk about brand-new Canadian research exploring how the FASD brain and body change with age — and what families, caregivers, and professionals need to know to support lifelong success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZpjr6YGxH8

FASDSUCCESS - FASD in Adulthood: Joseph Munn on Life After Diagnosis
Joseph shares what it felt like to finally understand his brain, how interdependence and technology help him stay regulated, and what community really means in adulthood. From gaming and advocacy to the one-dollar house that changed his life, Joseph’s story shows that success isn’t about doing it all — it’s about doing what works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dje8jBFUsG8

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust - What happens during an FASD assessment at the national clinic?
Hear from Alexandra Carlisle, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and FASD Clinic Lead who explains what typically happens at an FASD assessment at the national clinic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZUk2SmwAqc

CoramBAAF - Exploring Expertise FASD - Practical tools and national insights
In this participatory session, we will be hearing from NationalFASD on the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and some of the strategies in working with children from this group. We will also be exploring some of the national picture around FASD as well as the importance of its diagnosis and support plans for care leavers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ip3dJ3k3tw

Health Nexus Santé - FASD and Relationships
In this webinar, we’ll hear directly from two individuals with FASD, Reinier and RJ, along with their partners, as they share their personal journeys of building and sustaining relationships.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQD_6XoG1f8

UQ Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences - Professionals Webinar: Using AI to interpret the Australian FASD Guidelines
The Australian FASD Guidelines are a comprehensive and detailed resource; however, in practice, professionals often need to locate relevant information quickly and translate it into clear, usable guidance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Rw0rMMIV4

SoVD-Landesverband Niedersachsen e.V. - Invisibly disabled, visibly alone: ​​FASD in everyday life
In this episode, we tell the story of Mira, who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD). Her case illustrates how alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have long-term consequences—and how inadequate support often leads to problems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXRKJd7qxIA

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Reflexology with Dr. Lyelle Palmer
In this captivating episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper is joined by Dr. Lyelle Palmer, a leading researcher in the field of primitive reflexes and their neurological implications for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3G2ORB-aSg

Perfectly Imperfect - Basic on FASD-Dental issues
Today I talk about FASD and dental issues specifically something called enamel hypoplasia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFZa5DOZU2k

FASD Florida Center - FASD Collective - Shifts that Work Caregiver tips
Our FASD Collective caregivers talk a little bit about our tips for caregivers to see little shifts that help us shift our world into a place that supports us and our needs, especially when we are in the trenches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcCxpdzkBLA

 

RESEARCH
Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care - Utility of facial imaging and machine learning in the evaluation of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
In this article, we will review how investigators have attempted to apply technological innovations to enhance our knowledge of FASD and to fill some of the gaps that exist regarding access to experienced diagnosticians.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1538544225001877

Reproductive Toxicology - MicroRNAs in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review of Prenatal Exposure and Molecular Targets
Despite substantial heterogeneity in experimental designs—including differences in model systems, species, dosing regimens, and exposure durations—several microRNAs (miR‑9, miR‑335, miR‑15b, miR‑34a, let‑7i, miR‑200a, and miR‑326) consistently emerge as key regulators implicated in the pathophysiology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890623826000067

The Hippocampus - Cognitive Functions and Disorders - Fetal Alcohol Exposure and Hippocampal Dysfunction in the Vervet Monkey
Exposure to ethanol in utero is recognized as a leading cause of preventable developmental disorder. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD) display behavioral and intellectual impairments that strongly implicate the hippocampus, an area essential for learning and memory.
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/1207072

Scientific Reports - Cognitive and transcriptomic effects of Epigallocatechin gallate in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
This study highlights EGCG as a potential therapeutic candidate to ameliorate cognitive and behavioral deficits in children affected by FASD, revealing potential pathways and biomarkers that contribute to these improvements.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-34576-1

Molecular Mechanisms and Lifelong Consequences of Prenatal Exposure to Psychoactive Substances - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Mitochondrial Function in the Brain
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is recognized as a leading preventable cause of birth defects, giving rise to a continuum of cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-12741-9_8

Genes - Evaluation of Choline Metabolic Genes in the Liver of the Dam as Candidates for Mediating Choline’s Efficacy in Mitigating Ethanol-Induced Cell Death in the Neural Tube: A Preliminary Analysis
Genetic differences in maternal choline metabolism are present and may underlie variable therapeutic responses to choline, warranting a hypothesis that requires further investigation across animal models and human populations.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/17/1/42

Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie - Logopedic diagnosis in the context of Polish standards of diagnosis and therapy of a child with FASD
Starting from basic data on the spectrum of disorders following prenatal alcohol exposure (FASD), the author presents diagnostic criteria and categories, then presents the models of diagnosis proposed in medical standards
https://studialogopaedica.uken.krakow.pl/article/view/12509https://studialogopaedica.uken.krakow.pl/article/view/12509

Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology - Growth hormone therapy in a patient with short stature due to fetal alcohol syndrome: seven-year follow-up
No adverse effects were observed. While GH therapy appears safe in FAS patients, its efficacy for improving linear growth is limited, suggesting that growth impairment in FAS involves mechanisms beyond GH deficiency, including growth plate dysfunction and peripheral GH resistance.
https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1390588147234132736

Preprints - Estimation of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Comparison of Retrospective Survey and Measurement of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters, Ethyl Sulfate and Ethyl Glucuronide Concentrations in Neonatal Meconium
Determining the concentration of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), ethyl sulfate (EtS), and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is crucial for establishing the actual scale of prenatal alcohol ex-posure (PAE) and the early diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202512.1532

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology - Alcohol exposure during pregnancy and its impact on fetal neurodevelopment: a bibliometric and scientific mapping analysi
The evaluated studies reported that there are no safe doses of alcohol exposure during pregnancy or by women trying to get pregnant, that the effects of alcohol intake are proportional to the dose and modality of exposure, that these damages occur in different brain regions, and that these effects are related to the period of neurodevelopment.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00210-025-04860-y

Paediatrics & Child Health - 119 Teacher-reported prevalence of FASD in kindergarten and its associations with home problems and early intervention in 2010-2020
Furthermore, the higher likelihood for children with FASD of experiencing home problems, and their lower likelihood of having received an early intervention, as reported by their teacher, highlight the need for family-centered supports and for identifying these children at an earlier age so they can access services sooner, both of which could help encourage healthy development for children with FASD and other NDDs.
https://academic.oup.com/pch/article/30/Supplement_2/pxaf116.119/8379298

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Levels and patterns of prenatal alcohol exposure associated with increased risk of a clinically meaningful adverse effect on cognitive function
Given that the cognitive and behavioral deficits seen in FASD resemble those also seen in a range of other disorders, whether the patient's PAE is sufficient to increase the risk of clinically meaningful impairment is a critical element in an FASD diagnosis.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70208

Frontiers in Psychiatry - Factors Associated with Reduced Substance Use and Treatment Completion Among Justice-Involved Pregnant Women
Findings suggest that substance type may be an important consideration for treatment planning. Examining substance-specific factors that facilitate positive treatment outcomes is a practical next step for future studies.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1700103/abstract

Womens Health Nurs - The impact of a brief web-based intervention on improving awareness of the need to reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy among high-risk female college student drinkers: a quasi-experimental study
The brief web-based intervention significantly improved attitudes toward drinking during pregnancy, intentions to abstain from drinking during pregnancy, and drinking refusal self-efficacy, highlighting both the effectiveness and importance of this intervention.
https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1516094118

Salud Mental - Separate or Concomitant Use of Alcohol and Tobacco during Pregnancy: Prevalence and Associated Factors
The results highlight the need for implementing strategic programs for the prevention and control of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, considering the identified risk factors. Raising awareness among healthcare professionals and creating targeted public policies are essential for promoting healthy pregnancy and ensuring maternal-child well-being.
http://187.217.60.235/index.php/salud_mental/article/view/SM.0185-3325.2025.033

Public Health in Practice - Fifty shades of pregnancy warning labels on wine bottles: An observational study in France
The findings highlight the limitations of relying solely on general principles like visibility and legibility in health warning legislation. Effective implementation requires clear, detailed, and enforceable regulatory standards.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225001338

 

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Gmina Kościan (Poland) - Kampanii profilaktyki FASD „Ciąża bez alkoholu” na rok 2025/2026
Gminna Komisja Rozwiązywania Problemów Alkoholowych w Kościanie w ramach włączenia się do ogólnopolskiej bezpłatnej kampanii profilaktyki FASD „Ciąża bez alkoholu” na rok 2025/2026! przekazuje Państwu artykuł ekspercki psychologa i głównego diagnosty FASD Point Pani Sylwii Ściegienko, w którym przedstawia w jaki sposób pracować z dziećmi z FASD.
https://gminakoscian.pl/7246-2/

FASPortalen (Sweden) - Skandinaviska utblickar under Fokus FAS
Fokus FAS i Uppsala 11-12 november 2025 fick besök från både Norge och Finland. I Norge finns Nordens enda kompetenscenter för barn och unga som har exponerats för alkohol och droger under fostertiden.
https://www.fasportalen.se/nyheter/aktuellt/skandinaviska-utblickar-under-fokus-fas/

Alcohol News - 2/2026

NordAN (Iceland) - Iceland: prevention organisations respond to debate on alcohol policy and online sales case
Several prevention organisations in Iceland have issued the statement below to add factual context to the ongoing public debate about the country’s alcohol policy and the legality of online alcohol sales by domestic actors.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/iceland-prevention-organisations-respond-to-debate-on-alcohol-policy-and-online-sales-case

DW (Germany) - Germany: Alcohol prices well below EU average
Alcoholic beverages are cheaper in Germany than many of its European neighbors, figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) released on Monday for "Dry January" show.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-alcohol-prices-well-below-eu-average/a-75401091

BBC Science Focus Magazine - Why giving up alcohol may be the key to slowing down ageing
January feels like the perfect month to give up alcohol – and not only because ‘Dry January’ has become such a familiar ritual.
https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/dry-january-alcohol-biological-ageing

Reuters (USA) - Trump administration ditches advice to limit alcohol to 1-2 drinks per day
President Donald Trump's administration released new nutrition guidelines on Wednesday that abandon long-standing U.S. recommendations that Americans restrict alcohol consumption to two beverages a day for men and one for women in favor of simply advising they consume less to be healthier.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/trump-administration-ditches-advice-limit-alcohol-1-2-drinks-per-day-2026-01-07/

The Brighter Side of News (Australia) - Gen Z is turning away from alcohol in Australia — could bring lasting public health benefits
Younger Australians are quietly reshaping the nation’s relationship with alcohol, and the change appears deeper and more durable than many once believed.
https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/gen-z-is-turning-away-from-alcohol-in-australia-could-bring-lasting-public-health-benefits/

The Portugal News (Portugal) - Lisbon to impose limits on alcohol consumption
The Lisbon City Council intends to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption outside establishments throughout the city.
https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2026-01-08/lisbon-to-impose-limits-on-alcohol-consumption/941936

Channel Africa (South Africa) - SA NGO calls for higher legal drinking age
South African (SA) non-governmental Organisation (NGO) Gatekeepers has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to between 21 and 23.
https://www.channelafrica.co.za/channelafrica/news/sa-ngo-calls-for-higher-legal-drinking-age/

GOV.uk (UK) - Thousands of lives to be saved under bold new Road Safety Strategy
The first road safety strategy in more than a decade will save thousands of lives on the nation’s roads by tackling drink driving, improving training for young drivers and introducing mandatory eye tests for older motorists.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-lives-to-be-saved-under-bold-new-road-safety-strategy

IAS Blog - Feeling guilty after drinking? You’re not alone
Many people recognise the feeling. A night of drinking followed by regret. A sense you drank more than you meant to or that alcohol and a hangover has got in the way of work, relationships, or health goals.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/08/feeling-guilty-after-drinking-youre-not-alone/

PopNAD (Denmark) - Breaking barriers to employment: A new approach to young people struggling with substance use in Denmark
In Denmark, the scope of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) method has recently been broadened, from being applied mainly for people living with severe psychiatric diagnoses and unemployment, to include also young people outside employment and education with problematic substance use.
https://nordicwelfare.org/popnad/en/artiklar/breaking-barriers-to-employment-a-new-approach-to-young-people-struggling-with-substance-use-in-denmark/

IAS Blog (UK) - Road Safety Strategy plans to reduce drink-drive limit
The Road Safety Strategy, which will be launched today, plans to reduce the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland’s limit.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/road-safety-strategy-plans-to-reduce-drink-drive-limit/

NordAN (Denmark) - Almost one in three Danes are considering an alcohol-free January
Almost one in three Danes say they are considering a “hvid januar” (alcohol-free January) in the first month of 2026, according to a survey carried out shortly before Christmas.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/almost-one-in-three-danes-are-considering-an-alcohol-free-january

Breastcancer.org - 4 Updates on Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk From SABCS 2025
For decades, researchers have known that drinking alcohol raises the risk of breast cancer. But only recently have they started to understand the details.
https://www.breastcancer.org/news/alcohol-research-SABCS

NordAN (Norway) - More than one in three consider an alcohol-free month in 2026
More than one third of Norwegians who drink alcohol are considering or planning an alcohol-free month in 2026, according to a new survey from Blå Kors. The trend is particularly strong among younger people, with improved health cited as the main motivation.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/more-than-one-in-three-consider-an-alcohol-free-month-in-2026

Alcohol and Cancer - Low daily alcohol intake linked to 50% heightened mouth cancer risk in India
Even a low daily intake of alcohol - just 9 g or around one standard drink - is linked to a 50% heightened risk of mouth (buccal mucosa) cancer in India, with the greatest risk associated with locally brewed alcohol, finds a large comparative study, published online in the open access journal BMJ Global Health.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/low-daily-alcohol-intake-linked-to-50-heightened-mouth-cancer-risk-in-india

Moffit Cancer Center - Could Your Dry January Last All Year?
Mocktails are in. Cocktails are out. That’s a mantra many people are sticking to at the start of 2026 as Dry January kicks off. The resolution is only for 31 days without alcohol. But for some, the healthy change could be permanent as they join the ranks of the record number of Americans who have eliminated alcohol consumption altogether.
https://www.moffitt.org/endeavor/archive/could-your-dry-january-last-all-year

Alcohol News - 1/2026

WHO - 1 in 3 injury deaths caused by alcohol: WHO/Europe reiterates the harms
During the holiday season, celebrations often involve increased alcohol consumption, which can raise the risk of injuries – including road injuries, falls, burns, poisonings and interpersonal violence.
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/24-12-2025-1-in-3-injury-deaths-caused-by-alcohol--who-europe-reiterates-the-harms

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) - Australians are drinking less, but one cohort won't give up the booze
Health-conscious Australians might be thinking twice about having that second or third beer, but not everyone is getting the message when it comes to alcohol and risky drinking.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-27/australians-drinking-less-older-taking-bigger-health-risks/105371018

Gazeta Express (Switzerland) - Switzerland: Over 8 million hours of work absence are due to alcohol
The “Dry January” campaign has been launched, focusing on the workplace in 2026. “Alcohol consumption plays a role in one in six layoffs,” activists write. In Switzerland, “2 to 5% of workers and up to 10% of managers have a relationship with alcohol that is harmful to their health.
https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/Switzerland%3A-Over-8-million-hours-of-work-absence-are-due-to-alcohol/

The Guardian (UK) - Offenders in England and Wales to have alcohol levels tracked over new year periood
Thousands of offenders in England and Wales will have their alcohol levels tracked over the new year festive period by electronic tags that monitor the wearer’s sweat.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/30/offenders-england-wales-to-alcohol-levels-tracked-over-new-year-period

The Wall Street Journal (Saudi Arabia) - A Booze Ban Since the ’50s Is Being Quietly Lifted in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is quietly permitting some residents to buy alcohol, breaking a longstanding taboo as the Islamic kingdom looks to expand its tourism sector, attract high-earning expatriates and modernize its conservative image.
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-alcohol-ban-laws-d6f961de

The Romania Journal (Romania) - Excise Duties on Alcohol, Beer, Wine, and Fuel Rise Jan 1, 2026
According to the Fiscal Code, the excise duty level on beer, wine, alcohol and fuels will increase again from January 1, 2026, the second time in the last six months.
https://www.romaniajournal.ro/business/excise-duties-on-alcohol-beer-wine-and-fuel-rise-jan-1-2026/

Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency (Bulgaria) - Bulgaria Among World’s Heaviest Drinkers, New Data Reveal Alarming Alcohol Consumption Levels
Bulgaria remains among the countries with the highest levels of alcohol consumption in Europe and globally. According to World Health Organization data, the average Bulgarian aged over 15 consumes 11.2 litres of pure alcohol per year.
https://www.novinite.com/articles/236071/Bulgaria+Among+World%E2%80%99s+Heaviest+Drinkers%2C+New+Data+Reveal+Alarming+Alcohol+Consumption+Levels

The Senior - Old habits: is your 'unwinding' ritual silently damaging your health?
For many of us with a few grey hairs, an evening pint or relaxing glass of vino is a cherished ritual, but what's begun as a social pleasure has quietly drifted into a daily necessity (often behind closed doors).
https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/9139830/alcohol-and-ageing-health-risks-for-australians-over-50/

Paris Select Book (France) - New Year 2026: Paris bans the purchase and consumption of alcohol on December 31 in one arrondissement
As New Year’s Eve approaches, Paris is fine-tuning its measures for a festive and safe night out. The authorities have published a clear framework, with precise timetables and simple rules to apply.
https://www.parisselectbook.com/en/2025/12/31/new-year-2026-paris-bans-the-purchase-and-consumption-of-alcohol-on-december-31-in-one-arrondissement/

Inquirer.net (Japan) - 3 million in Japan may have alcohol use disorder, same level as 2018
Around 3.04 million people in Japan are believed to suffer from alcohol use disorder, the same level as in the previous study in 2018, highlighting the challenges in informing the public about the risks of drinking, a study showed Tuesday.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/303724/3-million-in-japan-may-have-alcohol-use-disorder-same-level-as-2018

PhillyVoice - Dry January isn't just a month away from alcohol. It leads to long-term reductions in drinking
Abstaining from alcohol for short periods of time — like Dry January — leads to reduced drinking in the long run and various physical and psychological improvements, new research shows.
https://www.phillyvoice.com/dry-january-quit-drinking-alcohol-health-benefits-/

Forbes - What The Latest Research Tells Us About Alcohol And Health
For most Americans, alcohol has historically been perceived as providing health benefits when taken in moderation. However, scientific understanding of alcohol and how it can affect overall health has evolved significantly, particularly in the last several years.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/omerawan/2026/01/01/what-the-latest-research-tells-us-about-alcohol-and-health/

IAS Blog - December 2025: The Year in Review
Some people might think alcohol policy is dull. But after a year of political leaks and flip-flopping, industry interference and deception, and, of course, stellar public health research, how anyone could find it boring is a mystery.
https://www.ias.org.uk/alcohol_alert/december-2025-the-year-in-review/

NordAN (Finland) - Majority of Tipaton participants drink less alcohol in February as well
As many as 81 percent of those who took part in Tipaton January 2025 (an alcohol-free January) also drank less alcohol in February. “Tipaton seems to continue for many people. 69 percent continued Tipaton in February as well, and 12 percent said they have been drinking less since January,” says Maaret Väkinen, communications specialist at Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/majority-of-tipaton-participants-drink-less-alcohol-in-february-as-well