Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.