Sustained release of alcohol: subcutaneous silastic implants in mice

A sustained-release device for use in ethanol dependence studies in mice is described. The Silastic device, dubbed SERT (sustained ethanol release tube), holds 0.35 milliliter of 95 percent ethanol (by volume) and is implanted under the skin of the back where it releases ethanol for up to 12 hours, with no observable tissue damage. The device may be adaptable to the release of other volatile liquids or drugs, in other animals.