Regrettably, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing this not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even jail time. Sometimes somebody 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 provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment as an alternative to other severe consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other effects of the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such consequences to a great extent. Particularly if the individual willingly participates drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that lots of people who do receive drug and alcohol rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges later on.