Theories concerning the etiology of alcoholism and commonly held beliefs suggest that anxiolytic effects of alcohol may be important in the development of problematic drinking. The effect of alcohol on anxiety has been studied through animal models, human experiments, and clinical observation. Human experiments have demonstrated that acute alcohol administration has anxiolytic effects. However, these effects depend on dose, the circumstances of administration, and subject characteristics. Systematic clinical observations show that anxiety disorders often precede and may contribute to alcohol abuse and dependence. Research is needed to determine the impact of anxiety symptoms on relapse and implications for treatment.