We see sexy beer commercials on television, hear humorous spots for alcoholic beverages on the radio, and see arty liquor ads in magazines. The promotion of alcohol is all around us and has been a part of life for thousands of years. We entertain and relax by drinking, use alcohol to enhance conviviality and set the mood for romance.
Many women drink socially for a number of reasons.
Doctors tell us that FAS is one of the leading causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. This is probably a conservative estimate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, tell us this may reflect a true increase in the number of infants with FAS, or an increase in the awareness and diagnosis of FAS in newborns by physicians. FAS results from the toxic effect of alcohol and its byproducts on the developing brain. The alcohol enters the baby's bloodstream through the placenta.