Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.