Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.