Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly 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 substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. 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 take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.