Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.