Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to 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 appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.