Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder 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.