Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be 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 that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.