Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in serious 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 substance abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation rather than other severe penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other effects from the crime, but could decrease the degree of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the person willingly takes part in drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of individuals who do receive alcohol and drug rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges down the road.