Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped before, end substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.