Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality 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 know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.