Unfortunately, it is a fact that millions of people actually 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 at risk at the same time, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically lead to serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases jail time. In many cases a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehab instead of other extreme consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other penalties from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such consequences to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is a first time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges later on.