Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might not have been able to be helped before, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.