Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.