Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might not have been able to be helped before, finish drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.