Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been able to be helped in the past, finish substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use 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 triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.