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Published: 12 November 2025

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Children with lower intelligence may face a significantly higher risk of developing alcohol problems as adults, according to alarming new research from Swedish scientists. The study, which tracked almost 600,000 18-year-old boys, found that those who performed worse on cognitive tests were considerably more likely to develop a problematic relationship with alcohol in later life.

This groundbreaking research comes at a time when experts have increasingly warned about a ‘quick fix environment’, where young people are growing up addicted to screens with diminishing attention spans, potentially affecting how their cognitive abilities develop during crucial formative years.

The extensive study provides crucial insights into how intelligence levels measured in adolescence may influence vulnerability to alcohol use disorder (AUD) decades later, raising important questions about early intervention and support for young people with cognitive difficulties.

Major Study Reveals Teenage IQ and Alcohol Connection

A comprehensive Swedish study tracked 573,855 males from age 18 years over an average follow-up period of 60.5 years, examining the association between IQ scores at conscription and subsequent alcohol use disorder diagnoses. The results were striking and consistent across multiple analytical approaches.

Young men with low IQ scores (defined as one standard deviation or more below the population mean) showed a 43% higher lifetime risk of developing alcohol use disorder compared to those with medium IQ levels, even after adjusting for factors such as parental substance use disorder, psychiatric conditions, socioeconomic status, and birth year. Conversely, those with high IQ scores demonstrated a 40% reduced risk of alcohol use disorder.

Of the 573,855 participants followed, 37,333 (6.5%) developed alcohol use disorder during the study period. However, when broken down by IQ group, the rates were markedly different:

• Low IQ group: 10.0% developed alcohol use disorder
• Medium IQ group: 6.4% developed alcohol use disorder
• High IQ group: 4.0% developed alcohol use disorder

Understanding Teenage IQ and Alcohol Risk Patterns

The relationship between low IQ and alcohol use disorder isn’t uniform across the intelligence spectrum. The protective or risk effect was most pronounced at the lower end of the IQ distribution, with lower teenage IQ and alcohol problems showing substantially more risk than higher IQ provided protection. Research showed a nonlinear effect, with approximately 30% predicted impact on alcohol use disorder risk for the lowest IQ levels compared to only 6.5% for higher IQ levels.

This suggests a threshold effect where cognitive vulnerabilities may have disproportionate impacts on substance use outcomes. The association remained robust even in within-sibling comparisons, where brothers with low IQ had nearly 40% increased risk for alcohol use disorder compared to their siblings with medium IQ.

The Genetic Connection Between Cognitive Performance and Alcohol Problems

The research employed sophisticated genetic analyses through Mendelian randomisation to understand whether the link between low IQ and alcohol use disorder represents a causal relationship. The results suggested that lower genetic liability for cognitive performance was causally associated with increased alcohol use disorder risk, indicating that the connection isn’t merely coincidental or due to other confounding factors.

In an independent US cohort of 5,424 participants, individuals with the highest cognitive performance polygenic scores had 35% decreased odds of alcohol use disorder compared to those in the lowest group. This validates the findings across different populations and methodologies.

Educational Attainment and the Low IQ Alcohol Use Disorder Link

The study revealed fascinating differences in how this relationship manifests across different societies. In the Swedish cohort, approximately 14% of the effect of IQ on alcohol use disorder risk was mediated through educational attainment. This suggests that part of the reason low IQ increases alcohol use disorder risk is through its impact on educational achievement.

However, the role of education varied considerably depending on national context. In societies with more equitable access to education and healthcare (such as Sweden and Finland), educational attainment may buffer—though not eliminate—the risk for alcohol use disorder associated with lower cognitive performance. In more stratified social systems, by contrast, educational attainment may amplify the vulnerability by exacerbating disparities in access to health services and opportunities.

Why Low IQ May Increase Alcohol Use Disorder Vulnerability

Several mechanisms may explain the connection between low IQ and alcohol use disorder risk:

Reduced Problem-Solving Capacity: Lower cognitive ability may limit adaptive coping strategies during adversity, making substances more appealing as a coping mechanism.

Impaired Decision-Making: Difficulties in evaluating long-term consequences versus short-term rewards may increase susceptibility to substance use initiation and continuation.

Educational and Occupational Challenges: Lower IQ often translates to fewer educational and career opportunities, potentially increasing stress and reducing access to supportive environments.

Co-occurring Conditions: The research found that individuals with low IQ had higher rates of ADHD (1.1% versus 0.3% in high IQ group) and internalising conditions such as depression and anxiety (13.0% versus 6.9% in high IQ group), which are themselves risk factors for alcohol use disorder.

Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Those with low IQ were more likely to experience household crowding during childhood (25.4% versus 10.2% in high IQ group), an indicator of lower socioeconomic status that independently contributes to substance use risk.

Implications for Prevention and Early Intervention

Understanding the connection between low IQ and alcohol use disorder risk has important implications for prevention strategies. Young people demonstrating cognitive difficulties may benefit from:

• Enhanced Educational Support: Targeted academic interventions that help build coping skills and problem-solving abilities alongside traditional learning.
• Early Monitoring: Healthcare providers and educators should be aware that cognitive struggles in adolescence may signal increased vulnerability to substance use problems.
• Family-Based Approaches: Given that parental substance use disorder affected 11.6% of the low IQ group compared to 7.2% of the high IQ group, family-centred prevention programmes addressing multiple risk factors may be particularly effective.
• Strengthened Social Support Systems: Creating accessible pathways to education, employment, and community resources can help buffer risks associated with lower cognitive ability.

The Importance of Context in Low IQ and Alcohol Use Disorder Research

The research demonstrates that the association between cognitive traits and alcohol use disorder is shaped by both genetic liability and the broader sociocultural environment. Across multiple methods and samples, cognitive performance and IQ were associated with alcohol use disorder risk, but the nature of the association varied across contexts.

In the US-based cohort, for example, those with the lowest cognitive performance scores did not have significantly increased risk compared to average, contrasting with the Swedish findings where low IQ conferred substantial risk. This suggests that sociocultural factors such as educational access, healthcare systems, and state support programmes may shape how cognitive traits influence alcohol use disorder risk.

Looking Forward

This extensive research, spanning over 60 years of follow-up data and incorporating cutting-edge genetic analyses, provides compelling evidence that cognitive ability in adolescence represents a meaningful risk factor for alcohol use disorder. With 6.5% of the overall cohort developing alcohol use disorder during follow-up, and rates reaching 10% amongst those with low IQ, the public health implications are considerable.

The findings underscore the importance of considering cognitive development as part of comprehensive approaches to preventing substance use problems. By identifying vulnerable young people early and providing appropriate support, it may be possible to reduce the elevated risk associated with lower cognitive ability.

Importantly, the research demonstrates that individual genetic predispositions do not operate in isolation. The structural conditions of society—including access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity—play a crucial role in determining whether cognitive vulnerabilities translate into substance use problems.

Source: (WRD News)

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Published: 17 October 2025

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A new study published by the University of Sydney has revealed that up to one in 28 Australians (3.64 per cent) may live with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a figure that translates to one child in every classroom or two adults on a bus during peak hour.

The research, published in June 2025, identifies fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Australia as the nation’s leading non-genetic, lifelong developmental disability. Yet despite this prevalence, most Australian psychologists, social workers, speech therapists and occupational therapists have not received training to recognise or support people with the condition, contributing to high rates of underdiagnosis.

The Hidden Disability

Alcohol exposure at any point during pregnancy causes FASD, a lifelong physical brain-based disability. The condition often hides, receives misdiagnosis or goes unnoticed altogether, leaving those affected without crucial support.

People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Australia face unique challenges including difficulties with learning, memory, impulse control, sensory processing and emotional regulation. They are at significantly higher risk of experiencing mental ill health, substance use disorders, physical health problems, school disengagement and involvement with the justice system.

However, with proper diagnosis, appropriate supports and understanding, people with FASD can thrive, according to Sophie Harrington, CEO of the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (NOFASD).

Prevention Campaigns Show Results

The Every Moment Matters campaign, funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), launched in 2021 with a clear message: no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

An evaluation report released in 2025 demonstrated the campaign’s effectiveness, with an estimated 16,554 fewer women drinking alcohol whilst pregnant across the reporting period. The initiative targets both the general public and high-risk groups whilst providing essential training to health professionals.

The Strong Born campaign, led by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), complements this work by providing culturally appropriate information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Updated Guidelines Released

In 2025, the National Health and Medical Research Council approved updated Australian Guidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Australia. The guidelines support health professionals in assessing and diagnosing people with FASD, incorporating the latest evidence whilst strengthening the voices of people with lived experience and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has demonstrated commitment to implementing the National FASD Strategic Action Plan. However, significant gaps remain in prevention, diagnosis and care within national alcohol and other drugs strategies.

The Human Cost

Families and adults supported by NOFASD Australia face daily struggles including repeated school suspensions, unmet needs in classrooms and parents who receive unfair judgement for their children’s behaviours. Many report feeling unheard, misunderstood and dismissed by systems that fail to recognise the condition.

“The profound and far-reaching impacts of FASD remain under-recognised,” Harrington notes. “These gaps perpetuate health and disability justice inequalities and systemic disadvantage for individuals and their families.”

With up to one million Australians potentially living with the condition, the scale of unmet need is substantial.

Critical Reforms Needed

Advocates are calling for the Australian Government to continue its commitment to implementing the National FASD Strategic Action Plan in full. Training and strategies for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Australia must be embedded across education, social services, out of home care and justice system reforms.

Key recommendations include universal screening for prenatal alcohol exposure at the earliest stages of pregnancy, continued investment in public awareness campaigns and culturally safe education programmes tailored to at-risk communities.

People with lived and living experience of FASD require targeted, FASD-informed advice and navigational support. Crucially, they must be included in decision-making at both organisational and government levels.

Recognition as a Disability

To ensure equity and inclusion, advocates argue that FASD must be included on the Australian Government’s List of Recognised Disabilities. Without formal recognition, inconsistent access to funding, services and individualised supports throughout people’s lives will continue.

“Australia is at a critical point on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder,” Harrington states. “After decades of advocacy from families, clinicians, researchers and organisations, awareness of the hidden disability is higher than ever in 2025. But despite progress, more education, reform and investment are needed to cement lasting change.”

NOFASD Australia has championed these calls for over 25 years. With growing awareness and evidence, the organisation sees a pivotal opportunity and urgent responsibility to act.

“Through education, policy reform and sustained investment, we can prevent harm before it occurs,” Harrington concludes. “Australia must seize this moment to change the trajectory for the up to one million Australians who live with FASD, and to prevent future generations from experiencing this alcohol-related harm.” (Source: FARE)

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Published: 23 September 2025

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Media Release: Posted on September 12, 2025 in 

Alcohol Harm, Alcohol Industry, Corporate Consumption Complex, Movendi, Policy, Sustainable Development

For immediate release: September 12, 2025

Media contact: Maik Dünnbier                       Phone: 0046721555036                        E-mail:  maik.duennbier @ movendi.ngo

 

New York, September 12, 2025 – People everywhere want to live in safe, healthy communities where children can thrive, where families are protected from preventable harm, and where governments take common sense actions to prioritize the common good. This shared vision – for dignity, well-being, and fairness – is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda and the global commitment to leave no one behind.

But the final version of the UN Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health falls far short of delivering on that promise and vision – particularly when it comes to addressing the role of alcohol in driving non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer and cardiovascular disease and mental health conditions, such as suicide, depression, and addiction.

The UN Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health is set to be formally adopted during the 4th High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs and Mental Health on September 25. Health Policy Watch is exclusively reporting that Member States have agreed the final declaration.

While minor improvements to how the declaration addresses alcohol policy were made compared to previous drafts, the final text remains vague and inadequate. The declaration has been compromised in its treatment of alcohol policy by alcohol industry interference.

Movendi International criticises the outcome as a political setback that disregards both scientific evidence and previous global commitments.

This declaration had the potential to become a turning point for alcohol policy,” said Kristina Sperkova, International President of Movendi International.

But instead of building on the decision and momentum from 2022, when countries unanimously adopted the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan, what we now see is a deeply inadequate and politically compromised text. It ignores the lived realities of millions of people affected by alcohol harm every day.”

Kristina Sperkova, International President, Movendi International

The missed opportunity is especially stark given the unanimous adoption of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030, which called for accelerated action on alcohol harm as a public health priority. That mandate has been ignored. The final declaration excludes alcohol from the fast-track commitments and fails to include any target to reduce alcohol use – even though alcohol is the leading risk factor for death and disease among people aged 15 to 49 globally.

This is the textbook definition of policy capture,” said Maik Dünnbier, Director of Strategy and Advocacy at Movendi International.

The alcohol industry’s fingerprints are all over this declaration. Instead of aligning with WHO’s evidence-based tools, the final text prioritizes ambiguity and inaction.”

Maik Dünnbier, Director of Strategy and Advocacy, Movendi International

Movendi has tracked the negotiations from the Zero Draft through Revisions 1 to 4. Earlier drafts had included several alcohol policy “Best Buys,” such as alcohol advertising bans and common-sense limits on alcohol availability. But these were deleted due to alcohol lobby pressure and were only re-inserted in a diluted way – a clear example of how commercial interference can undermine evidence-based health action in the people’s interest.

By contrast, tobacco policy receives clear, time-bound targets, specific policy guidance, and commitments to protect public health policymaking from industry interference.

Cancer due to alcohol is rising and alcohol use disorder and addiction are widespread among the global population. But most countries reported no progress on the alcohol policy best buys since 2010,” said Kristina Sperkova.

This clearly shows the urgent need for action. Yet this declaration avoids meaningful action. That’s unacceptable.”

Kristina Sperkova, International President, Movendi International

Member States and WHO have identified alcohol as an urgent “public health priority” and called for “accelerated action”. And WHO warns that without major policy changes, the global target of a 10% reduction in population-level alcohol use by 2030 will not be met – currently alcohol consumption is projected to rise instead.

Missed Opportunity and Structural Weaknesses

Despite modest references to alcohol taxation and vague mention of alcohol marketing and availability policies, the declaration fails to deliver a coherent or committed response to alcohol harm in line with previous commitments. Several critical flaws undermine its credibility and effectiveness.

First, the final declaration excludes alcohol policy from the fast-track commitments and fails to include any target to reduce alcohol use – even though Member States have called for accelerated action on alcohol harm as public health priority previously and alcohol is the leading risk factor for death and disease among people aged 15 to 49 globally.

Second, while it is positive that alcohol taxation is included as a health-promoting fiscal policy, the final text removes the clear, measurable target that appeared in earlier drafts: that 80% of countries should introduce or increase alcohol and tobacco taxes by 2030. This backtracking jeopardises accountability and undermines efforts to close implementation gaps.

Third, the declaration fails to commit to SAFER, the state-of-the-art alcohol policy blueprint that Member States themselves approved in 2022. It does not reference the Best Buys or Quick Buys by name either.

Fourth, the declaration fails to call for scaling up screening and brief interventions for alcohol use disorder and addiction – despite overwhelming evidence of their cost-effectiveness and immediate impact.

Fifth, the declaration continues to rely on the flawed, stigmatising, and misleading concept of the “harmful use of alcohol” – a term that fails to reflect the evidence of alcohol harm and is strategically deployed by the alcohol industry to mislead the public. To make matters even worse, in the declaration the term is used inconsistently and in contradictory ways. In one section, it refers to a clinical diagnosis; in other sections, it refers to the WHO definition of population-level harm. This internal contradiction confuses public health priorities, obscures the full scope of alcohol’s burden, and dilutes the clarity needed to achieve alcohol policy progress.

The omission of SAFER is indefensible,” said Maik Dünnbier.

Governments have already endorsed this technical package. It’s mind-boggling that screening and brief interventions for people who need support with alcohol problems is also omitted.

To leave out these proven solutions signals capitulation to industry interference.”

Maik Dünnbier, Director of Strategy and Advocacy, Movendi International

And the sixth missed opportunity is that the declaration does include general language on conflict of interest and briefly acknowledges the commercial determinants of health. But it fails to apply these concepts meaningfully to alcohol policy. There is no recognition of alcohol industry interference as a barrier to progress – despite overwhelming evidence that lobbying and policy capture by alcohol industry actors are major obstacles to public health oriented alcohol policy progress. Unlike tobacco control, which is protected by a dedicated global treaty and explicit commitments to shield policy from industry influence, alcohol policy remains politically vulnerable.

This double standard is deeply troubling,” said Kristina Sperkova.

Member States are frequently expressing concern about alcohol industry interference and the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan clearly identifies industry interference as a challenge – yet this declaration is silent on it. We cannot build a fair and healthy future if we allow the same corporations that fuel the NCDs crisis to shape the solutions.”

Kristina Sperkova, International President, Movendi International

Movendi International warns that the new political declaration fails to mark a turning point and instead is a missed opportunity to put the world on-track for achieving the alcohol targets of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan and SDG 3.5. Movendi calls on governments, UN agencies, and civil society to step up implementation efforts at national and regional levels.

People support alcohol policy action. And the alcohol policy best buys are proven to yield benefits for people, economies, and social justice,” said Maik Dünnbier.

People power can still move this agenda forward. We will keep exposing industry interference and supporting countries in their alcohol policy initiatives to achieve health, equity, and development for all people.”

Maik Dünnbier, Director of Strategy and Advocacy, Movendi International

Note for editors

Movendi Analysis and Resources for HLM4 on NCDs and Mental Health

Movendi International has followed the HLM4 negotiations closely and developed a dedicated advocacy priority page to support alcohol policy inclusion in the UN Political Declaration.

The page provides in-depth analysis of each draft of the declaration, tracks key changes and omissions, and offers evidence-based recommendations rooted in the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan.

It serves as a go-to resource for understanding the state of alcohol policy in the HLM4 process and the role of industry interference in shaping the outcome.

About Movendi International

With 170+ Member Organization from 60+ countries, Movendi International is the largest independent global social movement for alcohol policy advocacy to reach the sustainable development goals.

We unite, strengthen and empower civil society to tackle alcohol as serious obstacle to development on personal, community, societal and global level.

We partner with governments worldwide to support evidence-based and common-

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Published: 17 September 2025

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A new peer-reviewed study reveals that an influential scientific organisation is shaping public views in a misleading way, making alcohol’s health risks appear less serious. The research, published in Addiction on 9 July, examined nearly 300 critiques by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research (ISFAR). It shows that ISFAR frequently praised studies suggesting alcohol had benefits while attacking research that highlighted harm, regardless of quality.

As a result, many people now underestimate alcohol-related harms. Tim Stockwell, senior scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, explained, “Alcohol’s benefits are exaggerated and the risks are underestimated.”

Alcohol’s Hidden Toll: Alcohol-related harms have increased sharply in Canada. Between April 2020 and December 2022, deaths linked to alcohol rose by almost 18 per cent, and hospital admissions grew by more than 8 per cent. Today, alcohol causes more substance-related harm than any other drug in Canada, except in the Maritimes where it trails only tobacco. Furthermore, alcohol contributes to at least seven cancers, including breast and colon, and it raises the risk of heart disease, stroke and mental illness.

Because of this, experts stress that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor. Peter Butt, clinical professor at the University of Saskatchewan, explained, “Any reduction lowers risk.”

The Moderate Drinking Myth: For decades, the idea that moderate drinking was healthy shaped public opinion. Some studies even suggested that light or moderate drinkers lived longer than people who abstained. However, experts now say those claims were flawed. Many abstainers had already stopped drinking for health reasons, so they appeared less healthy than moderate drinkers. Once researchers corrected this bias, the protective effect disappeared.

Consequently, evidence now points in one clear direction: the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk, even at low levels. This shift prompted Canada to introduce new guidelines in 2023. The recommendations now advise no more than two drinks a week, compared with the previous limit of ten to fifteen.

Misinformation and Influence: Although science has moved forward, confusion about alcohol’s health risks continues. Experts link this confusion to ISFAR, which promotes alcohol as beneficial. While the organisation claims independence, several of its leaders have long-standing ties with alcohol producers and industry-backed groups. Critics argue that these connections compromise research integrity and harm public trust.

The recent Addiction study concluded that ISFAR’s critiques use tactics similar to those of the tobacco industry. They downplay risks, amplify supposed benefits and influence policy in ways that favour industry. (complete story WRD News)