Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been capable of being helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.