The document discusses the failure of experts on alcohol abuse and addiction to acknowledge the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. It summarizes that prenatal alcohol exposure can have devastating and lifelong epigenetic effects on the developing fetus, including increased risks of addiction. While governments and studies recognize the high rates of prenatal alcohol exposure, few receive a diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, leading to consequences like mental illness, homelessness, and addictions. The author argues that a paradigm shift is needed to understand that those with neurological disabilities from prenatal alcohol exposure use substances not for pleasure but for relief.

1. I have been listening today to the subject of alcohol abuse. The experts interviewed described in
detail the consequences and risks involved. Yet they failed to mention the most important factor:
prenatal alcohol exposure. If these devastating consequences of alcohol abuse occur in the
adult how much more will the developing fetus be affected.
Concerning genetics and addiction: what was not mentioned was the epigenetic effects of
prenatal alcohol on the developing fetus. The functions of genes are interfered with for the life of
the individual, with numerous consequences: including "addiction".
"Addictions" is an industry with hundreds of thousands of dollars spent annually on treatment
and research, with no significant impact. The research and treatment ignores the role of
prenatal alcohol, as demonstrated by the experts who were interviewed not mentioning it.
The government of Canada recognizes that one in one hundred babies have been exposed to
alcohol prenatally: yet few receive the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, with tragic
consequences of mental illness, homelessness and addictions.
One last point- those with the neurological disabilities of FASD do not take alcohol and drugs for
pleasure. They take them for relief. A paradigm shift in thinking yet to be accepted by the
addiction industry. Barry Stanley