Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others in danger at the same time, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. In many cases a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation as an alternative to other extreme consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other effects of the crime, but can decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol treatment and is a first time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of those who do receive alcohol and drug treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges later on.