Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might not have been able to be helped previously, end drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.