Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.