Regrettably, it's true that millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment instead of other serious penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely get rid of other penalties of the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such penalties to some great extent. Particularly if the person willingly participates drug and alcohol treatment and is a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges down the road.