Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can 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 a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.