Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, end 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 resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.