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 can help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to 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 methods are employed.