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 can help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.