Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with further rehab 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 in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.