Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, end drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may 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 a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.