Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might not have been able to be helped previously, end substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.