Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better know what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.