Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.