The purpose of the present studies was to investigate the activity of the adrenal gland and the pituitary beta-endorphin system in individuals from families with a 3 generation history of alcoholism, High Risk group, or from families without history of alcoholism, Low Risk group. All subjects had a medical examination, a drinking behavior personal interview and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Individuals with medical problems or excessive drinking were not included in the study. On the day of testing, a blood sample was taken at 9:00 a.m., then the subject drank a placebo drink or an ethanol solution (0.5 g ethanol/kg B.Wt.). Additional blood samples were taken at 15, 45 and 120 minutes post-drink. Results indicated that individuals of the High Risk group had lower basal levels of beta-endorphin like immunoreactivity (beta-EPLIR) than individuals of the Low Risk group. The dose of 0.5 g ethanol/kg B.Wt. induced an increase in the plasma content of beta-EPLIR of the High Risk group, but not of the Low Risk group. In the Low Risk group ethanol did not induce an increase above the 9:00 a.m. levels, however, it attenuated the beta-endorphin decrease overtime, observed following the placebo drink. Analysis of beta-endorphin-like peptides in the plasma of the High Risk group, with Sephadex G-75 chromatography indicated that the major component of the plasma beta-EPLIR was beta-lipotropin. Plasma cortisol levels, following ethanol intake, presented a small increase in the High Risk group but not in the Low Risk group. Both groups presented similar blood alcohol levels. The basal levels of immunoreactive cortisol and beta-endorphin in the plasma of individuals who were alcoholics, but had been abstinent for at least six months prior to testing were similar to the levels of the High Risk group. Thus there are differences both in the basal levels and in the response of the cortisol and the pituitary beta-endorphin system to an acute ethanol challenge between the two groups.