Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, end substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.