Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.