Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.