Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment instead of other extreme penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eliminate other effects of the crime, but could decrease the severity of such consequences to some large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first-time offender. Studies show that a large proportion of those who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges later on.