Regrettably, it's true that tens of millions of people actually choose to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not only puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others in danger too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases incarceration. Quite often a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately struggles with an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehabilitation rather than other severe penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely get rid of other penalties from the crime, but could decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly takes part in drug treatment and is a first-time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of those who do receive drug rehab because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges later on.