Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.