Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.