Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, 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 able to be helped previously, finish drug abuse because they can be properly 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 problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.