Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.