Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.