Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better know what caused their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.