Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been able to be helped previously, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.