A simplified procedure for producing ethanol self-selection in rats

Procedures almost exclusively involving the use of operant conditioning equipment have been successful in training rats to drink ethanol and establishing ethanol as a reinforcer. The present report describes a variation of this procedure which, in a relatively short period of time also establishes ethanol as a reinforcer, results in significant blood ethanol levels, but does not require extensive programming or recording equipment and is therefore more amenable to studies in which large numbers of animals are required.