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 might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.