Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.