To reduce stress associated with IP drug administration, all rats were handled as if they were going to receive an IP injection for 5 consecutive days prior to onset of drug treatment, and all rats received an IP injection of vehicle on the day preceding onset of drug treatment. Clonidine in doses of 10, 20, 40, or 80 µg/kg BW (n = 10–11/dose) or an equivalent volume of vehicle (n = 10–11) was administered 30 min prior to the daily 2-h alcohol-access period (1100–1300 hours, beginning 1 h after lights out) on each of 2 consecutive days.
