Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in 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 may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.