Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may 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 when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.