Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better know what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.