Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.