Regrettably, it's true that millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties as well as prison time. Quite often someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehabilitation instead of other serious penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other consequences from the crime, but could decrease the severity of such consequences to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is a first time offender. Research has shown that a lot of folks who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges down the road.