Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.