Stress induced suppression of maintenance but not of acquisition of ethanol consumption in rats.

Male Wistar rats were given a free-choice between water and increasing concentrations of ethanol from 3% to 11% (v/v) during the acquisition phase. Thereafter, animals were maintained on a choice between water and 11% ethanol for the balance of the experiment. For 5 days prior to and for periods during the acquisition and maintenance phases, the animals were exposed to electric footshock, restraint or no stress. The results showed no differences in ethanol drinking patterns among the groups during the acquisition phase. However, in the maintenance phase, both footshock and restraint suppressed the increase in ethanol intake seen in the no-stress control group.