Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases jail time. Sometimes someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other extreme penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some great extent. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug rehabilitation and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of folks who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges down the road.