Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.