Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.