Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing so not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers in danger too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases prison time. Often times anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation instead of other extreme penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other effects of the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of those who do receive alcohol and drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges later on.