Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.