Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been capable of being helped previously, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.