Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered 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 efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.