In particular, the interleukin-1 (IL-1) system has emerged as an important player in alcohol drinking and the development of alcohol dependence, and as a key regulator of alcohol-induced neuroimmune responses (Crews and Vetreno, 2011; Crews et al., 2011; Harris and Blednov, 2012; Szabo et al., 2012; Szabo and Lippai, 2014). Here, IL1B is linked to alcohol dependence.