Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.