Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.