Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.