Regrettably, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people choose 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 among others at risk as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even prison time. In many cases somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment instead of other serious consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other effects from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such consequences to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges in the future.