Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may not have been able to be helped before, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.