Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may not have been able to be helped previously, finish drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.