Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.