Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.