Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.