Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who might not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.