Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.