Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.