Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.