Regrettably, it's true that millions of people make the decision to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually result in serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse issue. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation instead of other severe consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other effects from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is a first time offender. Research has shown that a large percentage of those who do receive alcohol and drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges later on.