Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing this not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties as well as prison time. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment rather than other serious consequences for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the severity of such penalties to some great extent. Particularly if the individual willingly takes part in alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of folks who do receive drug and alcohol rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges in the future.