Dual diagnosis is 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 someone who may not have been able to be helped in the past, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.