Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might 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, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.