Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.