Regrettably, it is a fact that millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases jail time. Often times a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehab instead of other severe consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug treatment 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 large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in alcohol and drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Research indicates that a lot of people who do receive alcohol and drug rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges down the road.