Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 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 cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and also prison time. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehab instead of other serious penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other consequences of the crime, but could decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly takes part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of those who do receive alcohol and drug treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges in the future.