Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk as well, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even time in jail. Sometimes anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other penalties of the crime, but sometimes decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates drug rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Studies have shown that lots of individuals who do receive alcohol and drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges in the future.