Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been able to be helped before, end substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.