Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.