Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.