Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.