Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others in danger too, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Quite often anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse challenge. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation as an alternative to other severe consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other effects from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such consequences to some large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first time offender. Studies show that a large percentage of people who do receive drug rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges down the road.