Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.