The study highlights significant sex-dependent differences in how chronic ethanol exposure affects the striatum's neural computations in rats. Notably, impairments were observed to endure long after the cessation of alcohol exposure, with male rats showing effects even over 10 weeks post-exposure. The differences are not attributed to basic physiological properties of the neurons, as they are consistent across sexes, suggesting other neurological factors at play. The research sheds light on the complexities of alcohol's impact on brain function and its lasting implications for both sexes, particularly the need for tailored addiction treatments and public health approaches based on sex differences.