Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.