Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.