Regrettably, it is a fact that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not merely 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 lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even prison time. In many cases somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment instead of other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other effects from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such consequences to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in drug rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges later on.