Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.