Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.