Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might not have been able to be helped before, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.