Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.