Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might not have been able to be helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.