Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.