Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so not just 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 typically lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases jail time. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment as an alternative to other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of folks who do receive alcohol and drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges later on.