It is well established that drinking can severely impair the individual’s functioning in various
social roles. Alcohol misuse is associated with many negative consequences both for the
drinker’s partner as well as the children. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can
result in fetal alcohol syndrome in children, and parental drinking is correlated with child
abuse and impacts a child’s environment in many social, psychological and economic ways
(Gmel & Rehm, 2003). Drinking can impair performance as a parent, as a spouse or partner,
and as a contributor to household functioning.