Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been able to be helped previously, finish drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.