Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might not have been able to be helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.