Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately 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 abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.