Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better know what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.