Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.