Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.