Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling 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 take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.