Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.