Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.