Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that may not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.