Native Americans and Alaska Natives have much increased rates of abuse and addiction than other ethnicities, an an issue which must be aknowledged for these cultures to endure. Although the reasons may vary from person to individual, the majority of of the causes for the higher rates of substance abuse amongst Native American and Alaska Natives have to do with their culture. First of all, Native American and Alaska Native adolescents appear to have some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the U.S.. The most apparent obstacles to helping Native Americans and Alaska Natives for addiction are cultural ones and language. For this reason it is important that Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Empire receive treatment services in a drug and alcohol rehab center that is culturally acceptable, but most importantly in one that considers the need to offer drug and alcohol rehabilitation in their native tongue.