Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to drive a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically lead to serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Quite often someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other serious consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but could decrease the severity of such consequences to a great extent. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is a first time offender. Studies show that a lot of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges down the road.