Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been capable of being helped before, end drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.