Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped before, stop substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.