Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.