Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so not only puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others in danger too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines as well as jail time. Often times anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly takes part in alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges in the future.