Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, end drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.