Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.