Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped before, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.