Unfortunately, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk as well, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties as well as incarceration. Quite often somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment as an alternative to other severe penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in alcohol and drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that lots of those who do receive drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges later on.