Unfortunately, it's true that millions of people choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines as well as jail time. Quite often someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment as an alternative to other severe penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a great extent. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges down the road.