Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often 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 during the past, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused 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 individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.