Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.