Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.