Dual diagnosis can be 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 might help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.