Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people decide to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others at risk too, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually result in serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even jail time. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation as an alternative to other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other effects from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such consequences to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol treatment and is a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges later on.