Self-administration of diazepam by the rat

Abstract

Male Charles River rats were offered diazepam either orally or by counterinjection over a 6-day period, with drug concentrations increasing every other day. Although diazepam intoxication was observed at all drug concentrations and with increasing severity as the drug concentration was increased, no decrease in intake ensued. This apparent lack of conditioned aversion formation was not due to diazepam-induced amnesia, since rats poisoned with lithium chloride after diazepam consumption showed no attenuation of conditioned aversion when compared to rats poisoned after drinking flavored water.