Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.