Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.