Regrettably, it is a fact that millions of people make the decision to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk also, 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, fines and in many cases time in jail. Often times somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehab instead of other serious penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such consequences to some great extent. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol treatment and is also a first time offender. Studies show that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges down the road.