Regrettably, it is a fact that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk at the same time, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even prison time. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment as an alternative to other severe penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such consequences to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates drug rehabilitation and is a first-time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of those who do receive drug and alcohol rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges in the future.