Background: There are many factors that contribute to patients' alcohol addiction or misuse. Hereditary and environmental factors can contribute to alcohol addiction. Aim: The aim of the study was to illustrate factors affecting nurses' attitudes towards patients with alcohol addiction in health care. Method: Literature study with a qualitative approach. Eleven articles were chosen to be read, reviewed and analyzed. Results: The result showed that the nurses' knowledge about alcohol addiction or misuse of alcohol that could affect their attitudes towards the patients. Nurses felt a difficulty to talk to the patients about alcohol issues. That could in some cases lead to that nurses didn't talk to the patients about alcohol related issues. The nurses own experiences and prejudices could reflect on the care that they gave to the patients. In some case nurses gave the patients the equal care that they deserved but in other cases nurses did not show the patients the respect and dignity that they deserved. Conclusion: The nurses own experiences, knowledge, education and attitudes ware an important part of the approach to patients with alcohol addiction. When the nurses have good communication strategies and technique in conversation they tend to discuss alcohol issues more often. Preconceptions and prejudices about alcohol misuse affects the way nurses look at the patient. The conclusion is that with more education and knowledge the nurses can have a better approach and be able to give a better care to patients with alcohol addiction.