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 may help an individual who might not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.