Effects of ethyl alcohol on forced consumption of an acclimated saline solution

Forced consumption of a 1.7% sodium chloride solution was determined in 3 groups of male hooded rats, 4 in each group, over a period of 115 days. A control group received 1.7% NaCl for the duration of the experiment. An ethyl alcohol experimental group received gradually increasing concentrations of ethyl alcohol, 0.5 to 6.0%, in the 1.7% NaCl drinking fluid for 30 days. For the next 25 days 6% ethanol was mixed with the 1.7% sodium chloride solution. A second experimental group was treated similarly except that varying concentrations of citric acid were added to the saline drinking fluid in place of the ethyl alcohol. At the end of the 55 day period, the ethyl alcohol and citric acid were removed from the drinking fluid of both groups. Dramatic and copious amounts of drinking occurred only in the group which had previously drunk the ethyl alcohol. Since excessive drinking of the 1.7% sodium chloride solution did not occur in the other experimental group when the citric acid was removed, the copious drinking can be attributed specifically to the prolonged ingestion and withdrawal of the ethyl alcohol. Possible significance to an animal model for alcoholism is discussed.