Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.