Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that 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 triggered their drug use and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.