Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others in danger at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases jail time. Quite often anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other serious consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other consequences from the crime, but could decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is a first time offender. Research has shown that a large percentage of individuals who do receive alcohol and drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges later on.