Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.