Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.