MADISON, Wis. -- Women and addiction, it's a local problem that's following a national trend.

WISC-TV takes an in-depth look at the problem in a special three-part series airing on News 3 at Ten, The Update, Sunday, May 14, Monday, May 15 and Tuesday, May 16.

Former addict, Aliza's body has been messed up for years.

"I'm feeling a lot better now that everything is out of my system," she said.

Quiet time is something new to her after suffering through addictions to nearly everything.

"Alcohol, marijuana, crack, crystal meth, a lot of different stuff," said Aliza.

The 24-year-old woman is now in her fourth treatment program.

But the addiction goes beyond Aliza. It's in her genes.

Her grandmother was an alcoholic. But Aliza admits using alcohol and drugs became the easy way out for her.

"It was habit," said Aliza. "Something I fall back on when things get tough. I can use that as a way to escape for a while and not think about it."

But life wasn't always like this for the young woman.

"It wasn't always like this," she said. "I did four years of college. I've been on my own. I've been well off. But once you get wrapped up, it's a quick fall."

Aliza said she fell hard this last time.

"Before I came here, I was living on the street, looking for meals," she said. "It is not glamorous, not at all."

WISC-TV found the latest ads for drinking and smoking appear glamorous and fun. Aliza noticed them too.

"It looks glamorous, smoking and drinking, fun and sophisticated," said Aliza. "But it's actually disgusting, what it does to you both physically and mentally, especially if you continue using."

"Young women are starting at an earlier age," said Tellurian coordinator Krista Kirby.

Kirby deals directly with those trying to get a grip on their addictions.

She is the in-take coordinator at Tellurian. She said what she's seeing matches the results of a new survey by the National Center on Addiction.

Researchers at Columbia University said the survey includes decades of research, which indicates women of all ages are willing to try substances at a younger age.

It also said women get addicted faster and develop more serious health issues including the damage to their mental wellness.

"They get so tied up in it, when it does spin out of control, they don't know how to address it," said Kirby.

"I just want to be alive, healthy, sober and have a job," said Aliza. "Just the basic things I haven't had in a long time."

Due to the number of women, of all ages, now seeking addiction treatment in Wisconsin, some local centers are trying everything from yoga to forgiveness and spiritual therapy.

Some of those new programs are too young to know the impact, yet.

Those who worked on the Columbia University survey believe the gender reaction is so drastic, that treatment and prevention must be altered for women.

Monday, May 15, on News 3 at Ten, The Update, meet a local college student who said she got the help she needed and now believes she knows how to control her use of alcohol.

Tuesday, May 16, an addiction expert will be live on News 3 at Ten, The Update to answer questions and give more information on the topic.

If you would like to submit questions for the addiction expert, or share your own struggle, e-mail Tbarr@wisctv.com.