Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing so not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk at the same time, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even prison time. In many cases a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment rather than other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other penalties from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a large percentage of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges later on.