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 will help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.