Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.