Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse by being correctly 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 in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.