Regrettably, it's true that millions of people make the decision to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk at the same time, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. Often times a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment rather than other extreme consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly takes part in drug and alcohol treatment and is a first time offender. Studies have shown that a large percentage of folks who do receive drug rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.