Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others at risk at the same time, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties as well as jail time. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehab instead of other severe penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is also a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug and alcohol rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges down the road.