Ethanol alters voltage-dependent calcium channels and receptor-operated channels which transport calcium [e.g., the ion channels associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors]. However, the question which still remain unanswered is whether these modifications have any physiological significance. This review will focus on the effects of ethanol on various calcium-related parameters with an emphasis on the possible relevance to the behavioral effects elicited by ethanol.