Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been able to be helped before, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.