Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.