Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that may not have been able to be helped before, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. 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 issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.