Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.