Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that 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 know what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.