Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been capable of being helped before, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.