Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.