Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. This not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others at risk too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. Often times anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other penalties from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such consequences to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Studies show that a large percentage of individuals who do receive alcohol and drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges later on.