Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been able to be helped before, end drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.