Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.