McCarthy, a Democrat who has represented much of Kansas City in Congress since 1995, was treated and released Friday morning from a Washington hospital. She suffered the cut after slipping on an escalator in a House office building.

She missed a key vote early Friday on approval of the federal budget. The measure passed 215-212, with eight members not voting. McCarthy also was absent for a vote Friday on a resolution backing President Bush and U.S. troops in the war against Iraq.

By Friday afternoon, McCarthy was back in Kansas City, where she issued a statement saying she would seek immediate treatment.

"I deeply regret my behavior and, as difficult as it is, recognize that my drinking has hurt those who I am closest to, those I love and work with," McCarthy said. "I have hit bottom, and I realize I just take action to change."

Her top aide, Phil Scaglia, said he didn't know whether McCarthy would take a leave of absence to seek care. The congresswoman did not plan to resign her seat, he said.

McCarthy, 56, could not be reached for further comment. In her statement, she asked for support as she begins her recovery.

"I am truly sorry and apologize to those I have hurt, and I will do everything I can to regain your trust," she said.

State Rep. Marsha Campbell said she supports McCarthy in her efforts for recovery.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her," said Campbell, a Kansas City Democrat whose districts overlaps McCarthy's old statehouse district.

Scaglia would not comment on Friday's incident but witnesses said it began about 10:30 p.m. Thursday in a room near the House floor where lawmakers gather between votes.

One witness told a reporter that McCarthy was incoherent and struggling to walk. The congresswoman made it clear she wanted to leave the Capitol rather than wait around for early morning votes.

Although several House members urged McCarthy to remain in place until she recovered, an aide walked her back to her office in the nearby Longworth House Office Building. A witness said McCarthy was waving her arms and bumping into obstacles along the way.

After she returned to Longworth, McCarthy eventually agreed to head home. At about 12:30 a.m. on an escalator between two House office buildings, McCarthy was yelling at an aide and throwing papers, her purse and a cell phone at her, witnesses said.

At one point, McCarthy struggled to go up a down escalator, slipped and struck her forehead. Capitol Police escorted McCarthy to George Washington University Hospital.

Aides and former staffers have complained about what they regarded as demeaning and abusive behavior from McCarthy. The behavior has included dressing down employees in front of staff members from other offices.

In one incident last May, two House colleagues had to pull McCarthy away from Scaglia on the Capitol steps at about 1 a.m. as McCarthy was unleashing what was described as a tirade.

Sources told Roll Call that McCarthy was yelling, "You don't care about me. My staff doesn't care about me. Nobody cares about me."

At the time, Scaglia attributed the incident to "long days, long nights voting" in the House.

Said McCarthy: "We had a disagreement. People do that with long and trusted friends." She also denied that she had to be pulled away.

"There is an awful lot of employee turnover in Ms. McCarthy's office," said Scott Stark, who worked as an aide for about a year until last April. "It's hard to be an effective legislator when your staff turns over so much that there's no institutional memory."

In 1996 after her first term, Roll Call said McCarthy had posted the second-highest staff turnover rate among freshmen. Thirteen staff members left her office during her fledgling term.

Scaglia attributed turnover to the quality of staff that McCarthy hires.

"We have been extremely fortunate in attracting a number of very talented and highly skilled individuals who have naturally progressed in their careers," he said.

The picture of a contentious and mean McCarthy clashes with the image many Kansas Citians have of her. A member of the Missouri House who represented a district in the Westport area from 1977-1995, McCarthy typically is viewed as a cheerful lawmaker, eager to help and solve problems.

Joe Carmichael, general chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, said he was shocked to hear about McCarthy's troubles.

"I'm surprised because she is an able and effective representative for the Fifth District," he said.

For all the power and perks of office that come with serving in Congress, Capitol Hill is an extremely high-pressure world. And for members of the House, who serve only two years, the strain can be even more intense. The nonstop pace of campaigning and fund raising contributes to the harsh toll that a life in politics can exact.

Various past and present members of Congress have battled alcoholism, some more publicly than others.

Rep. Phil Crane, an Illinois Republican, never acted outlandishly. But after friends confronted him two years ago about his drinking, he acknowledged his problem, sought help and was re-elected last fall.

On Friday, several House colleagues and fellow Democrats wished McCarthy well.

"I just wish the best for her," said U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican from northwest Missouri.

Washington correspondent Matt Stearns contributed to this report.