Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.