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 may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered 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 who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.