Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.