Native Americans and Alaska Natives have considerably higher rates of substance abuse and addiction than other races, an an issue which must be addressed for these cultures to survive. While the things which trigger substance abuse may differ from individual to individual, many of the causes for the high rates of abuse among 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 drug and alcohol abuse in the U.S.. The most apparent hurdles to treating Native Americans and Alaska Natives for addiction are cultural challenges and their language. This is why it is vital that Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Van Tassell obtain substance abuse treatment in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program that is culturally acceptable, and more importantly in one that takes into the account the need to offer alcohol and drug rehab in their native tongue.