Dual diagnosis can be 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 will help someone that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as 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 reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.