Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.