Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug 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 prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.