Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.