Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated for the remainder 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.