Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.