Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped before, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.