Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.