Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.