Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may 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 an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.