Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.