Sadly, it's true that millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. This not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases time in jail. Sometimes someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehab instead of other severe penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other penalties from the crime, but sometimes decrease the severity of such consequences to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in drug and alcohol treatment and is a first time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges down the road.