Alcohol dependence represents a major problem in public health and different animal models of dependence have been developed in rodents with the aim of studying the mechanisms of alcohol abuse. Different ways of animal alcoholisation have been established. They permit a better understanding of which neurotransmitter system is involved in the regulation of alcohol dependence. Considerable attention has been given to the role of serotonin in the control of both alcohol craving and alcohol related pathologies, i.e. anxiety, aggression or memory loss. In conclusion, the use of animal models of alcohol abuse facilitates the understanding of alcohol behavior and permits the development of new therapeutic agents.