al., 2016). Overall, while a role for CRF2 receptors cannot be ruled out (Funk and Koob, 2007; Valdez et al., 2004), the large preponderance of evidence suggests that CRF1 receptors play an important role in regulating alcohol consumption, especially excessive levels of drinking associated with dependence. Taken together, there is a large body of evidence indicating that chronic alcohol-induced changes in CRF function within brain/neuroendocrine systems may directly, and/or through mediating withdrawal-related anxiety and stress/dysphoria, promote excessive levels of drinking as well as influence relapse vulnerability (Heilig and Koob, 2007; Koob and Zorrilla, 2010; Lowery and Thiele, 2010; Zorrilla et al., 2014).
