Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may not have been able to be helped before, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.