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 might not have been able to be helped during the past, finish substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to 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 methods are utilized.