Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.