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 can help someone who may not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.