Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might not have been able to be helped previously, finish substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.