Dual diagnosis can be 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 someone that may not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.