Abstract : The association between alcohol consumption and pancreatitis has been well known. However, the threshold of an individual's differences in vulnerability and duration of alcohol consumption is not well established. This study aimed at investigating other factors that support alcohol in developing pancreatitis. About 25 published articles that discussed the association between alcohol consumption and developing pancreatitis were critically reviewed. It was found that alcohol abuse per se is not sufficient to cause pancreatitis, the type of alcoholic beverage, the amount consumed, the duration of consumption, and the drinking style, all coordinate together to develop the disease. The mortality rate was found to be 63 %, and 23 % in men and women respectively. It was concluded that pancreatitis is a major complication of alcohol abuse. However, it is not clear why don’t all alcohol abusers develop pancreatitis. This indicated that additional risk factors were involved. This issue demands further investigation to identify these factors