Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been able to be helped before, end drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.