Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that may not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.