Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might 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 could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.