Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that may not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.