Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might not have been able to be helped before, put an end to substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.