Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.