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 might help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.