An increase in serum cortisol levels was found in alcoholic subjects during a period of 11-29 consecutive days of experimentally induced ethanol intoxication. Elevated serum cortisol levels were correlated with a progressive increase in blood alcohol levels, indicating a general dose response relationship. However, blood alcohol levels were Subluenced by factors other than the dose of alcohol ingested. Such factors included intercurrent gastrointestinal disorders and adequacy of dietary intake. Data obtained in this study demonstrate that chronic alcohol ingestion and its concomitant effects are associated with adrenal cortical activation in alcoholics.