Native Americans and Alaska Natives have much higher rates of substance abuse and addiction than other ethnicities, a circumstance which must be addressed for these cultures to survive. In fact, Native American and Alaska youth have some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the country. While the reasons may vary from person to person, most of the reasons for the high rates of substance abuse among Native American and Alaska natives are cultural ones. The biggest barrier to treating Native Americans and Alaska Natives for substance abuse are language and culture differences. This is why it is vital that Native Americans and Alaska Natives receive substance abuse treatment in a drug rehab program that is specifically catered to this ethnic group, but most importantly in one that takes into the account the need to provide treatment in their language.