Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.