Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes 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 previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.