Environmental enrichment reduces the propensity to relapse following punishment-imposed abstinence of alcohol seeking

Environmental enrichment during periods of abstinence can reduce the risk of relapse to drug-seeking behavior. We trained rats to self-administer alcohol in one environment (Context A), then punished their alcohol-reinforced lever responses in a different environment using contingent foot shock (Context B). Rats were then kept in forced abstinence in either standard housing or environmental enrichment conditions for 31 days. The following day, we examined alcohol seeking behavior. We found a significant reduction in alcohol seeking behavior in Context A after environmental enrichment. Our results suggest that environmental enrichment can reduce alcohol seeking behavior following a period of abstinence.