Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.