Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.