Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.