Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.