Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others in danger too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always lead to serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even time in jail. Quite often a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation instead of other extreme consequences for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely get rid of other effects from the crime, but could decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of folks who do receive alcohol and drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges in the future.