Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, end substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could 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 efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.