The effects of post-stress exposure to alcohol upon the development of alcohol consumption in rats

A preference-drinking situation was used to test the effects of conditioned inhibition training upon relative alcohol preference. Using a backward, conditioned inhibition paradigm, water-deprived rats received daily shock presentations, followed immediately by alcohol exposure in a different neutral chamber. This post-shock exposure to alcohol drinking cues increased daily alcohol intake in the home cage, as tested 5 h later, relative to a no-shock control group. Results were interpreted in terms of a conditioned antagonistic-response interpretation of conditioned inhibition--increased relative preference for alcohol cues developed as a result of the association of alcohol cues with a post-shock, relief/relaxation response. These results have implications for the role of conditioned inhibitory processes in the initial development of alcoholism.