Regrettably, the simple truth is that millions of people make the decision to drive a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not lead to serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties as well as prison time. Often times a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation as an alternative to other serious consequences for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eradicate other effects of the crime, but could decrease the severity of such consequences to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in alcohol and drug treatment and is a first time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of those who do receive alcohol and drug rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.