To determine whether the 20% ethanol intermittent-access protocol would produce high voluntary ethanol intake in SD rats, two groups (n=31 total) were trained to consume 20% ethanol using the intermittent-access drinking paradigm. The rats were given access to one bottle of 20% ethanol and one bottle of water for three 24-hour-sessions per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) as previously described (Simms et al., 2008; Wise, 1973). The rats had unlimited access to two bottles of water between the ethanol-access periods. The placement of the ethanol bottle was alternated each ethanol drinking session to control for side preferences. We maintained the rats on 20% ethanol intermittent access two-bottle choice paradigm for 8 weeks (24 ethanol-access sessions).
