Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not only puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and also time in jail. Quite often 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 alcohol and drug treatment as an alternative to other extreme penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug rehab and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that lots of folks who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the courts for comparable charges down the road.