Unfortunately, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually lead to serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even prison time. Quite often anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse challenge. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation rather than other serious consequences for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such consequences to some large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates drug and alcohol treatment and is also a first time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of individuals who do receive drug treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges down the road.