Unfortunately, it's true that millions of people choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and also jail time. Sometimes anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation as an alternative to other extreme penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but can decrease the seriousness of such consequences to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges in the future.