Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.