Regrettably, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Doing this not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers at risk at the same time, but being caught driving drunk (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases jail time. Often times a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and it 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 participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other consequences of the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a great extent. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is also a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of people who do receive drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges down the road.