Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.