The patterns of diagnosis, referral, & help-seeking behaviors of alcoholic women physicians were studied. 95 female physicians & 5 female medical students were interviewed. Addictions to drugs other than alcohol were common, with only 40% reporting addiction to alcohol alone. Seventy-three reported serious suicide ideation prior to sobriety, 26 after the drinking ended. Thirty-eight had made overt suicide attempts, 15 more than once. Treatment experiences varied, but most had reached treatment through circumstances other than referral by therapists or intervention by impaired-physician committees. The authors caution that the current procedures should be evaluated with the particlar needs of women in mind. (15 refs)