Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even prison time. Often times someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse challenge. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to some great extent. Specifically if the person willingly participates in alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges down the road.