Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop drug 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 could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.