Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.