Date

8-21-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Trauma, Resilience, & Self-Care Strategies

Department

Human Services

First Advisor

Ryan Chukuske

Second Advisor

Jerrod Brown

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol has been in society for thousands of years. However, the discovery of the impacts of alcohol consumption while pregnant is something that is continuously being learned about. Controversy on the effects of alcohol while pregnant and the level of consumption throughout the last century alone has caused individuals to misunderstand the level of danger that it has on a child. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a multi-layer disorder that causes not only physical deformities but also a change in mental health and cognitive levels of an individual. Throughout any stage of pregnancy a consumption of alcohol can have major impacts on the trajectory of an individual's life from both a childhood and into adulthood. Mothers may struggle to admit to the use of alcohol due to the fear of being stigmatized as well. Many risks are included within an individual who has FASD, from a lack of education, higher risk in independent living, little to no family support, to the increased risk of arrest or criminal justice interaction. The awareness of the dangers of alcohol while pregnant or expecting to become pregnant not only needs to be increased in study but also the awareness of the support for individuals with FASD must be increased if we as a society are to help these individuals progress in a positive fashion through their life.

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