Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment 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 is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.