Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, finish drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.