Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.