Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not only puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others in danger also, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases prison time. In many cases somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse challenge. A legal court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative to other severe consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other effects of the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly takes part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first time offender. Studies have shown that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges down the road.