Unfortunately, the simple truth is that millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 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 usually result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even prison time. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehab instead of other serious consequences for crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other penalties of the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly takes part in drug rehab and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of those who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges down the road.