DUI/DWI offenders in Thorndike are occasionally given the option to participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program instead of penalties for their alcohol or drug related offenses. The consequences for these kinds of criminal offenses can occasionally be very extreme, including being locked up in jail and significant fines and various significant costs to pay for being in the court system for and/or convicted of DUI/DWI. Often, specifically for first time offenders, the criminal justice system may decide that addressing the problems of alcohol and drug addiction in drug or alcohol rehab is will prove more effective in the long term for curbing the problem. For DUI/DWI offenders in Thorndike who are lucky enough to be permitted to participate in this rehab process instead of other additional serious punishment, many will remain out of the criminal justice system permanently.