Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.