Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality 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 led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.