Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.