Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.