Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.