Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been able to be helped before, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.