Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.