Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.