Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.