Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been able to be helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. 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 led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.