Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.