Summary
An attempt was made to induce physical dependence in rats by restricting their fluid intake to concentrations of alcohol that were increased from 5–20% during 4 months. Alcohol intake decreased during the month that the 20% concentration was available. Following alcohol withdrawal water was consumed in significantly greater amounts than in control rats on the first and fourth through twelfth days thereafter. It is doubtful that this was due to abstinence. A fluid deficit might have developed during the last month on alcohol so that an increase in water consumption occurred when it became available.
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U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service.
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Essig, C.F. Increased water consumption following forced drinking of alcohol in rats. Psychopharmacologia 12, 333–337 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401411
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401411