Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been able to be helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.