Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.