Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk also, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and also time in jail. Sometimes someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse challenge. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation instead of other severe penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol treatment and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of those who do receive drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges down the road.