Unfortunately, it's true that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing so not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even time in jail. Quite often someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehabilitation instead of other extreme consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other effects from the crime, but sometimes decrease the severity of such penalties to a great extent. Specifically if the person willingly participates drug and alcohol rehab and is also 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 comparable charges later on.