Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.