Unfortunately, it is a fact that millions of people decide to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others in danger too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Quite often a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Studies show that a lot of folks who do receive alcohol and drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.