Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.