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 might help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.