Regrettably, it is a fact that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not simply puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk also, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other effects of the crime, but could decrease the degree of such penalties to some great extent. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of folks who do receive drug and alcohol rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges later on.