Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.