Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may not have been able to be helped in the past, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.