This study looks at all stages of drinking behavior and focuses mainly on alcohol dependence. There are three prerequisites for establishing a model of alcoholism. First, there is a choice of water and different concentrated ethanol solutions. Drug dependence usually progresses from a voluntary intake of a drug. Forced drug administration is not a common way to bring about an addiction.
Rats prefer low concentrations of alcohol over high.
After a period, they shift towards high concentrated alcohol solutions. The second prerequisite is a long-term voluntary alcohol consumption. This study was conducted over the course of one year. In the present study, rats received food, tap water, and ethanol solutions in four bottles per cage. After two months, the alcohol was taken away for three days, then it was presented again.