Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.