Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.