Sadly, it's true that millions of people choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing so not only puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others in danger too, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even jail time. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment instead of other severe consequences for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other penalties of the crime, but could decrease the severity of such consequences to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in alcohol and drug treatment and is also a first-time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges later on.