The purpose of this literature review was to explore theoretical models of dinking behaviors for their potential usefulness in nusing research and practice. Drinking behaviors are related to biopsychosoical factors. According to recent epidemiological surveys, the alcoholic problems in Korea were serious, but research of drinking behaviors in Korea was not sufficient for full understanding of alcoholic disorders and drinking behaviors in terms of biopsychosocial factors. Although reaserch on the causes of drinking behaviors has traditionally been heavily influenced by pharmacological and genetic explnations, recent findings have drawn attention to social-cognitive theories as a potentially critical element in etiological matrix. Any useful theoretical model for drinking behavior must address at least the following three questions. First, why do people start drinking? Second, what factors maintain drinking? Third, why do some drink as to develop serious problems? To answer these questions, many theoretical models for drinking behaviors were developed so far. 7 theories were reviewed in this article : The disease models, Learning theories, Social Cognitive theories, Biological theories, Personality theories, Psychoanalytical theories and Socio-cultural theories. Each of these theories explains the causative factors of drinking behaviors but do not allow the answer for above questions alone. Development of more comprehensive model is needed. More prospective, longitudinal studies are needed before a certain theory can be recommended. This article will contribute to develop a comprehesive theory and to facilitate the fruitful reaserch for drinking behaviors in the future.