Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.