Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk at the same time, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines as well as prison time. In many cases a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment rather than other serious penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eliminate other effects of the crime, but sometimes decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges later on.