Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.