Native Americans and Alaska Natives are known to have significantly increased rates of alcohol and drug abuse and alcohol and drug addiction than other races, an a situation which must be resolved for these people to endure. Although the causes may vary from person to person, most of the reasons for the high rates of drug 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 drug and alcohol abuse in the U.S.. The most evident obstacles to treating Native Americans and Alaska Natives for addiction are cultural challenges and language. For this reason it is vital that Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Traverse City, Michigan receive substance abuse treatment in a drug rehab program that is understanding of their culture, and most importantly in a drug rehab program that takes into the account the need to provide alcohol and drug rehabilitation in their native tongue.