Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse 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 can also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.