Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.