Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that may not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.