Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped before, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.