Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.