Sadly, it is a fact that tens of millions of people make the decision to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This 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 usually cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation rather than other severe consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a great extent. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that lots of individuals who do receive drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges later on.