Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been capable of being helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out 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.