Examinations of the reinforcing effects of alcohol cover studies of oral consumption, intravenous self-administration, and brain stimulation reward in laboratory animals. A review of these basic research findings leads to the conclusion that reinforcement is primary a function of the reward properties of alcohol rather than actual physical dependence. Clinical and human research on alcohol euphoria, anxiolytic effects and pharmacotherapy of alcohol abuse, and genetic risk for alcohol reinforcement also indicate that physical dependence plays a minor role in sustaining patterns of alcohol consumption. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 46 references