Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.