Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.