Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in 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 may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.