Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people decide to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others in danger too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties as well as incarceration. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehab instead of other serious penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other effects from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in alcohol and drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of those who do receive drug and alcohol rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges later on.