Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. 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 might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.