Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been able to be helped before, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just 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 in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.