Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.