Unfortunately, the simple truth is that millions of people decide to drive an automobile while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing so not only puts one's life in danger and puts passengers in danger also, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Quite often someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehab rather than other extreme consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Studies show that a large percentage of those who do receive drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges later on.