This review examines three theories of alcohol abuse by American males: (1) the sex role theory which states that men drink heavily because American culture accepts and encourages that activity in males; (2) the dependency theory, which interprets drinking as a means by which men secretly gratify their dependency needs while manifesting an outward, hypermasculine facade; and (3) the power theory, which proposes that men drink to achieve an internal experience of themselves as dominant and potent. By reviewing the literature on the three theories and reformulating them into one framework, this paper attempts to develop a unified masculinity model of alcohol abuse. Its basic premise is the hypothesis that alcohol abuse stems from a developmental arrest in the formation of adolescent masculinity. The paper also asserts that treatment is difficult since alcohol abuse is tied to one's masculinity and alcoholics are fixated in adolescence. It suggests helping these men grow into adult behavior and develop a new perception of manliness. (Nineteen pages of references are given.) (ABB)