Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.