Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been able to be helped during the past, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.