Sadly, it is a fact that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others in danger also, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases jail time. Quite often a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation as an alternative to other extreme penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other effects from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly takes part in drug and alcohol treatment and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of those who do receive drug and alcohol rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.