Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing so not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers among others at risk also, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always result in serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. The court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to provide DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment 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 consequences from the crime, but can decrease the severity of such penalties to a large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates drug rehabilitation and is a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of people who do receive alcohol and drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for similar charges down the road.