Native Americans and Alaska Natives have considerably higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse and drug addiction than other races, an a situation which should be resolved for these cultures to endure. While the reasons may differ from individual to individual, most of the reasons for the higher rates of abuse among Native American and Alaska Natives are cultural ones. First of all, Native American and Alaska Native youth 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 drug and alcohol addiction are cultural ones and language. This is why it is vital that Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Machias obtain substance abuse treatment in a drug rehab center that is understanding of their culture, and most importantly in a drug rehab program that understand the need to offer drug rehabilitation in their language.