Native Americans and Alaska Natives have significantly increased rates of substance abuse and addiction than other ethnicities, an a circumstance which must be addressed for these cultures to survive. While the causes may differ from individual to person, most of the causes for the significantly 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 barriers to helping Native Americans and Alaska Natives for substance abuse are cultural challenges and language. This is why it is crucial that Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Kivalina receive treatment services in a drug rehab program that is culturally acceptable, and more importantly in a drug rehab program that understand the need to supply drug and alcohol treatment in their language.