Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that 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 results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.