Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who may not have been capable of being helped before, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.