Unfortunately, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even prison time. Often times a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse challenge. A legal court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other extreme penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but can decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a lot of folks who do receive drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges later on.