Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been able to be helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.