Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been capable of being helped previously, end substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.