Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.