Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.