Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.