Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation 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 actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.