Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others in danger at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases jail time. Quite often anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation as an alternative to other serious penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other effects from the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such consequences to a great extent. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of folks who do receive drug rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges down the road.