Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.