Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.