Unfortunately, it's true that millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases incarceration. In many cases someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehabilitation instead of other extreme penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other consequences of the crime, but tends to decrease the degree of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates alcohol and drug rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research has shown that lots of individuals who do receive drug and alcohol rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for similar charges down the road.