Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not simply puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others at risk as well, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases jail time. Often times a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation as an alternative to other serious penalties for his or her 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 from the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such consequences to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly takes part in drug rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges later on.