Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may not have been capable of being helped during the past, end substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.