Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.