Objective To review the research progress of alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods Recent literature concerning alcohol-induced ONFH was reviewed and summarized. Results Alcohol-induced ONFH accounte for approximately 1/3 of total ONFH. Alcohol intake and the incidence of ONFH has a significant dose-effect relationship. There are some correlations between alcohol-induced ONFH and lipid metabolism, secretion of corticosteroid, and some gene of alcohol or lipid metabolism. Conclusion The relationships between alcohol and lipid metabolism, and between alcohol and steroid are still the main direction of the research of ONFH. Gene level researches can not demonstrate the pathogenesis, therefore further research should be carried on.