Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people choose to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk at the same time, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines as well as incarceration. Quite often somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment rather than other extreme consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but can decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Research indicates that a lot of those who do receive drug rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges down the road.