Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.