Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.