Alcohol affects release of beta endorphin and impacts on ventral tegmentum and nucleus accumbens activity, with feelings of reward operating in part through mu opioid receptors (Koob and Kreek, 2007; Mague and Blendy, 2010; Otto et al., 2017). Dopamine has also been linked to craving and heavy drinking (e.g., Cloninger, 1987; Parsian and Zhang, 1997). These effects could relate to alcohol sensitivity as well.
