Regrettably, it is a fact that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not simply puts one's life in danger and puts passengers at risk as well, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and also jail time. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other extreme penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such consequences to a great extent. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in alcohol and drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.