Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.