Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might not have been able to be helped previously, end drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.