Sadly, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others in danger at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always cause severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. In many cases a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation as an alternative to other extreme penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eliminate other consequences of the crime, but can decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in alcohol and drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges down the road.