Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.