Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish 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 could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.