Unfortunately, the simple truth is that millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk at the same time, 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, monetary penalties as well as time in jail. Quite often a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug treatment rather than other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other penalties from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a large percentage of individuals who do receive alcohol and drug rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges later on.