Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.