Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, end substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual 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 as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.