Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.