Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been capable of being helped before, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.