Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.