Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped before, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.