Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, finish substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.