Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk also, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even incarceration. Often times someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment rather than other severe penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a great extent. Particularly if the individual willingly participates drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a lot 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.