Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped before, end drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.