Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.