The 'wounded soul': What alcoholism means to participants of a women-only Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in São Paulo, Brazil.

Alcoholism in women is marked by social stigma, making it difficult to find women willing to share their experiences and participate in qualitative research on this important issue in public health. In these women-only meetings, they shared their experiences, and alcoholism is referred to as a 'wounded soul' that causes deep anguish often experienced in the isolation of their own homes.