Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused 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 individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.