Treatment with the GABAA agonist THIP (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol) or the GABAB agonist baclofen was shown to enhance the acquisition of voluntary ethanol consumption in laboratory rats. THIP administration resulted in an increased intake of absolute ethanol without an increase in total fluid intake. In contrast, baclofen administration, while increasing ethanol intake in a manner similar to that seen with THIP, also increased total fluid intake, indicating that its effects may not be specific to an interaction with ingested ethanol. The data obtained in the present study support the notion that GABAergic mechanisms, particularly those related to the GABAA receptor, may be involved in the acquisition of voluntary ethanol consumption in laboratory rats.