Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others at risk at the same time, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehab as an alternative to other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other consequences of the crime, but sometimes decrease the degree of such penalties to a great extent. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is also a first time offender. Studies show that a large percentage of folks who do receive drug rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges later on.