Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.