Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been able to be helped in the past, stop substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.