DUI/DWI offenders in Columbia are often given the option to participate in a drug rehabilitation program as opposed to receiving other penalties for their drug or alcohol related offenses. The consequences for these types of criminal offenses can often be quite harsh, including incarceration and serious fines and even significant costs associated with being in the court system for and/or found guilty of DUI/DWI. Frequently, particularly for initial offenders, the judge will decide that treating the concerns of drug or alcohol addiction in drug or alcohol rehab is a better decision in the long run for curbing the issue. For DUI/DWI offenders in Columbia that are lucky enough to be able to participate in this rehab process instead of other additional extreme penalties, most will remain away from the criminal justice system permanently.