Dual diagnosis is 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 may help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.