Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may not have been capable of being helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.