Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.