Learning Center Articles

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• Alcohol use during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (F A S D’s).
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome (F A S): Problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, and hearing
  • Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder
  • Alcohol-related birth defects
• Characteristics of F A S

Learning difficulties	Abnormal facial features
Speech and language delays	Small head size
Intellectual disability	Shorter-than-average height
Poor reasoning skills	Low body weight
Sleep and sucking problems as a baby	Poor coordination
Vision or hearing problems	Hyperactive behavior
Problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones	Difficulty paying attention
Learning difficulties	Poor memory
Difficulty in school

Alcohol intoxication and Withdrawal

• Alcohol intoxication: Occurs at blood alcohol levels between 100 and 200 milligrams per deciliter
• Alcohol withdrawal: Occurs within 4 to 12 hours of cessation of or reduction in heavy and prolonged alcohol use

Sedative/Hypnotic Use Disorder

• Profile of the substance
  • Barbiturates
  • Non-barbiturate hypnotics
  • Antianxiety agents
• Patterns of use
• Effects on the body
  • Effects on sleep and dreaming
  • Respiratory depression
  • Cardiovascular effects
  • Hepatic effects
  • Body temperature
  • Sexual functioning

June 22, 2020