Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been capable of being helped before, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.