Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, finish 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 led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.