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 can help someone that may not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly 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 drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.