Dual diagnosis is 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 might help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their substance 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 can also help clients better know what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.