Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.