Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others in danger too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases jail time. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehabilitation rather than other severe consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but sometimes decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in alcohol and drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges down the road.