Dual diagnosis can be 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 may help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, end substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered 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 who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.