Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.