Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.