Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper 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 rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.