Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been able to be helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often 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 proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.