Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse 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 with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued 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 in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.