Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might not have been able to be helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.