Dual diagnosis can be 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 a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.