Regrettably, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others at risk at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. In many cases a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system understands this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation instead of other extreme consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other consequences of the crime, but could decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a great extent. Specifically if the individual willingly participates drug treatment and is a first-time offender. Studies have shown that lots of those who do receive alcohol and drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges in the future.