Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.