Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.