Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people choose to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk also, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even prison 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 it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other effects from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such consequences to some great extent. Specifically if the individual willingly participates drug treatment and is a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of those who do receive drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges later on.