Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.