Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.