Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to 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 treatment methods are utilized.