Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that 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 triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.