Regrettably, it is a fact that millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. This not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk as well, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines as well as prison time. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse challenge. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other severe penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other penalties from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug rehab and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges down the road.