Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.