Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.