Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact 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 triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.