Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.