Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.