Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might not have been able to be helped during the past, stop substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.