Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.