Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.